Noninvasive brain stimulation to relieve chemotherapy-induced nerve pain in cancer patients
Official title: Neural and Immune Correlates of Painful Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy, Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Motor Cortex Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Intervention
Funded at Morgan State University · NIH-11377965 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study will test if a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment can reduce painful nerve pain from cancer drugs, with attention to diverse patients who often experience this pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Morgan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 31, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $436,346 |
| NIH project number | 5U54MD013376-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377965 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cancer who have or are at risk for painful CIPN, including diverse racial backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without CIPN or those unable to undergo brain stimulation may receive no benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores using a non-invasive brain stimulation method on the motor cortex to help ease painful CIPN in cancer patients. It builds on prior work showing potential pain relief and the ability to do the treatment at home with remote supervision. The study will explore feasibility and preliminary efficacy, gathering data on how well participants tolerate the treatment and any early signs of pain reduction. By including diverse patient groups, the research aims to understand how broadly this approach could help people who experience CIPN.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience less nerve pain from chemotherapy and have a more tolerable treatment course.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary evidence in healthy individuals and initial trials suggest potential pain relief with motor cortex tDCS, but results in CIPN patients are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Morgan State University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meeker, Timothy J — Morgan State University
- Study coordinator: Meeker, Timothy J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Non-invasive, microscopic biomarkers to detect CIPN in chemotherapy patients
This grant aims to develop a non-invasive imaging method to measure nerve changes in patients undergoing chemotherapy to better understand and monitor chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
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Longitudinal study of how body-sense relates to chemotherapy nerve damage
This study follows people with breast or gastrointestinal cancer and healthy controls to see if brain processing of body sensations contributes to chemotherapy-induced nerve damage.
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A new screen for chemotherapy-related nerve problems in young children
A clinician-scientist at Yale is developing a child-friendly survey to quickly screen for nerve-related side effects from cancer treatment in kids from birth to age 5.
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How the immune system’s CD4+ T cells in women might prevent chemotherapy-related nerve pain
A study in mice explores whether female immune cells in nerve tissue can lessen pain from chemotherapy, with potential implications for preventing CIPN in women.
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Axonal transport and chemotherapy-related nerve pain
This grant studies why certain cancer patients develop painful nerve damage from chemotherapy and explores ways to prevent or treat it.
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Remote monitoring and nurse follow-up to manage chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
A program uses symptom reporting tools with nurse follow-up to reduce and better manage chemotherapy-induced neuropathy for cancer survivors, during and after treatment.
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.