Searching human pain-sensing nerve cells for safer pain medicines
High content analgesic screening from human nociceptors
Testing natural compounds on human pain-sensing nerve cells to find safer, non-addictive pain medicines for people with severe acute or chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172656 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using human dorsal root ganglion (pain-sensing) neurons in the lab to run high-content screens of natural product compounds. Rather than relying only on simple biochemical tests or mouse behavior, they will measure detailed cellular and electrical responses from many human nociceptors to spot compounds that reduce pain signaling. Promising fractions will be followed up with additional lab tests to confirm effects and narrow down lead compounds. The goal is to move the most promising candidates toward development as non-addictive pain treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with severe acute or chronic pain who want non-opioid treatment options, and in some cases individuals willing to donate tissue samples or participate in related future trials, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People needing immediate pain relief or whose pain arises from non-neuronal causes are unlikely to gain direct short-term benefit from this lab-based screening work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new non-addictive pain medicines that better predict human responses and reduce reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have performed: Using human sensory neurons for drug screening is relatively new and promising, but many analgesic leads from animal-based screens have failed to translate to humans, so this approach is hopeful but not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Richardson, United States
- University of Texas Dallas — Richardson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kolber, Benedict J — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Kolber, Benedict J
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.