Sensory testing to guide neuropathic pain treatment
Sensory Phenotyping to Enhance Neuropathic Pain Drug Development
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11365628
This project uses sensory tests to find patterns that help pick better medicines for people with neuropathic pain.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11365628 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
They will use specialized sensory tests (quantitative sensory testing, QST) to map how nerves respond to touch, temperature, and pressure in people with neuropathic pain. Those sensory maps will be combined with other biological markers to create a sensory "biosignature" that represents underlying pain mechanisms. The team will link these biosignatures to how patients have responded to specific pain medicines to find patterns that predict success. If consistent patterns emerge, doctors could later use them to choose treatments matched to a person's pain mechanism rather than just the disease label.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with chronic neuropathic pain who can attend clinic visits for sensory testing and clinical follow-up.
Not a fit: People without neuropathic pain or whose pain mechanisms are not represented by the biosignatures studied may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help your doctor choose a pain medicine that has a higher chance of working for your specific type of neuropathic pain.
How similar studies have performed: Small preliminary studies have suggested sensory phenotypes might predict drug response, but larger validation is still needed.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FREEMAN, ROY — BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: FREEMAN, ROY
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.