RGS7 and KOR: Fine-tuning pain relief and mood balance
Official title: Rgs7 regulation of the Kappa Opioid Receptor
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore County · NIH-11389517 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist aims to understand how a brain signaling protein called RGS7 affects the kappa opioid receptor to improve pain relief while reducing unpleasant mood effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore County NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $377,328 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059446-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11389517 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable in this basic-science grant context; potential future patients would be those with pain and mood disorders who might benefit from improved KOR-targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation is described in this mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This research will study how RGS7, a regulator of GPCR signaling, changes how the kappa opioid receptor works in the brain. By using animal-style behavioral tests that measure aversion and responses to aversive stimuli, the team will identify which neuronal groups are most influenced by RGS7 in relation to KOR-driven behaviors. They will also explore how phosphorylation of RGS7 alters KOR signaling and related outcomes. The findings could guide the design of better, less dysphoric pain therapies that target KOR pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, results could lead to new pain treatments that provide relief with fewer negative mood effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests RGS proteins influence GPCR signaling; this project tests a specific interaction with KOR.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sutton, Laurie — University of Maryland Baltimore County
- Study coordinator: Sutton, Laurie
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.