New drugs targeting the 5‑HT7 serotonin receptor to relieve nerve pain
Official title: Research Project-2: Functionally Selective Ligands Targeting 5-HT7 Receptor as Potential Antinociceptive Agents
Funded at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ · NIH-11413498 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Developing new drugs that act on a serotonin receptor to help people with chronic neuropathic (nerve) pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 1997 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $278,518 |
| NIH project number | 5U54MD007582-41 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413498 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with chronic neuropathic (nerve) pain who have had poor relief or unacceptable side effects from current treatments.
✕Less likely to help
People with acute pain, pain from non‑neuropathic causes, or conditions not linked to 5‑HT7 receptor pathways are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers are designing and testing chemicals that bind to the 5‑HT7 serotonin receptor to find compounds that reduce nerve pain. They will study how these compounds work in cells and animal models, focusing on different signaling pathways (G‑protein vs β‑arrestin) to identify safer options. The team aims to improve drug selectivity to avoid effects at other brain receptors that can cause side effects and addiction. Promising candidates from these lab studies could be advanced toward safety testing and future human trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to non‑opioid medicines that relieve neuropathic pain with fewer side effects and lower addiction risk.
How similar studies have gone: Several animal studies of 5‑HT7 receptor agonists have shown pain relief, but results have been mixed and the approach remains under study.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ablordeppey, Seth Y — Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ
- Study coordinator: Ablordeppey, Seth Y
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.