Restoring Nervous System Health
Official title: Center for Restoration of Nervous System Function
Funded at VA Connecticut Healthcare System · NIH-11016920 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research aims to find new, non-addictive ways to treat chronic pain and spasticity, especially for Veterans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Connecticut Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Haven, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I50RX002999-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11016920 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is particularly focused on adult Veterans, aged 21 and older, who experience chronic pain, spasticity, or phantom limb pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without chronic pain, spasticity, or conditions related to nervous system dysfunction may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
We are exploring new ways to manage chronic pain and spasticity, which are significant challenges for many Veterans. Our work builds on the discovery of specific "switches" in the body, like Nav1.7 and Nav1.8, that play a key role in how we feel pain. We are also looking into why some people experience severe pain after an injury while others do not, by studying genes that might offer protection. By using patient-specific stem cells, we hope to identify new targets for medications that could lead to more effective and safer pain relief. This multi-pronged approach seeks to develop better treatments for conditions like phantom limb pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, non-addictive medications that offer more effective relief for chronic pain and spasticity.
How similar studies have gone: The biopharmaceutical industry has already invested significantly in developing treatments based on earlier discoveries related to Nav1.7, and second-generation blockers are currently being developed.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
West Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Waxman, Stephen — VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Waxman, Stephen
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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.