Role of circRNAs in Pain Sensitization
Official title: Investigating the Role of CircRNAs in Pain and Nocieptive Sensitization
Funded at University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · NIH-11535946 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how circular RNAs in nerve tissue influence chronic pain and the body’s response to opioids, with potential implications for new pain therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $190,878 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121176-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535946 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with chronic pain or those who have been exposed to opioids may be relevant for future applications of these findings or related studies.
✕Less likely to help
This specific grant involves basic and translational work in model systems and human tissue, which may not immediately benefit all patients.
What this research studies
This project will examine circular RNAs in human dorsal root ganglion tissue to understand how they regulate pain-related genes. Researchers will map circNTRK2 and other circRNAs, study how they affect BDNF mRNA and protein levels in lab dishes, and test their function in animal pain models using targeted antisense approaches. The work combines advanced sequencing, RNA interaction studies, and behavioral pain assays to uncover new mechanisms of pain sensitization. By connecting circRNA activity to pain pathways, the study aims to identify potential targets for future therapies that could reduce chronic pain and opioid reliance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could reveal new molecular targets for treating chronic pain and reducing opioid use.
How similar studies have gone: Similar RNA-based mechanisms have shown promise in regulating pain pathways, but the circRNA area is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De la Pena, June Bryan — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: De la Pena, June Bryan
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.