RGS4 and long-term nerve pain
Official title: Studies on RGS4-Regulated Pathways in Models of Neuropathic Pain
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11306646 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a protein called RGS4 affects long-lasting nerve pain to help identify new non-opioid treatment targets for people with chronic neuropathic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 5, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $636,944 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS135775-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11306646 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with persistent neuropathic pain—for example from nerve injury or chemotherapy-induced neuropathy—would be the likely group to benefit from any therapies that emerge.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with only acute pain or with pain driven primarily by non-neuropathic causes (for example purely inflammatory or structural pain) are less likely to benefit directly from this line of work.
What this research studies
Researchers will use well-established nerve-injury and chemotherapy-induced nerve pain models in mice to see how RGS4 controls signals in sensory neurons and the thalamus. They will compare animals lacking RGS4 or with reduced RGS4 to normal animals to find which RGS4-linked pathways keep pain going. The team will measure changes in gene expression, neuronal signaling, and synaptic adaptations that relate to persistent sensitivity after nerve damage. Findings will be used to point toward molecular targets that could eventually be tested in therapies for chronic neuropathic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new drug targets that reduce chronic neuropathic pain without relying on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Prior preclinical studies in animals show that changing RGS4 levels can alter maintenance of long-term pain, but this approach remains at the preclinical stage and has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zachariou, Venetia — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Zachariou, Venetia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Peripheral nerve stimulation for chronic neuropathic pain in a new mechanistic trial
A study at Stanford tests whether a painless-sounding electrical nerve treatment helps people with long-standing neuropathic pain when added to standard care.
-
Keratinocytes and nerve pain in chemotherapy patients
A study tests a new approach to reduce painful nerve damage from chemotherapy by targeting skin cells called keratinocytes.
-
High-frequency brain stimulation for trigeminal neuropathic pain
A large, multi-site trial tests a non-invasive brain stimulation method to relieve chronic facial nerve pain for adults who have not found relief from other treatments.
-
Programmable lithium-delivery devices for pain relief without motor loss
A new bioelectronic system uses a safe lithium source and AI-powered control to deliver targeted pain relief for neuropathic pain, aiming to spare motor function.
-
Glial-nerve conversations in neuropathic pain and diabetes
This grant looks at how supportive brain and nerve cells communicate with pain-sensing neurons to understand and reduce chronic nerve pain in people.
-
Parmodulins with Low Abuse Potential for Neuropathic Pain
A new class of pain medicines called parmodulins is being studied to help people with nerve-pain pain without high abuse risk.
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.