Reducing opioid tolerance by targeting the nerve-cell protein Tiam1
Targeting Tiam1-mediated synaptic plasticity for the relief of opioid tolerance
Researchers are testing whether blocking a protein called Tiam1 in nerve cells can help people who rely on opioid pain medicines keep their pain relief without needing higher doses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11364681 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be hearing about research that looks inside spinal cord nerve cells to see how a protein called Tiam1 changes connections between nerves when opioids are used. The team will use laboratory models to change Tiam1 activity, measure nerve-cell structure and signaling, and track pain responses over time. They will also study how opioids trigger release of signals like BDNF that may drive these nerve changes. If blocking Tiam1 prevents the nerve changes that cause tolerance, that finding could point to new treatments to preserve opioid effectiveness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who take opioid medications for severe or chronic pain and who have developed or are at risk of developing opioid tolerance would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People who do not use opioid pain medicines or whose pain problems are unrelated to opioid tolerance are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that let people maintain pain relief on stable, lower opioid doses and reduce the risk of misuse and overdose.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical studies have linked synaptic plasticity and BDNF signaling to opioid tolerance, but specifically targeting the Rac1-GEF Tiam1 is a relatively new and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Lingyong — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Li, Lingyong
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 below.