Targeting alpha9 nicotinic receptors to treat chronic pain
Selective Probes for Alpha9* Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
Researchers are creating new medicines that act on alpha9 nicotinic receptors to help adults with chronic inflammatory and nerve pain find non-opioid relief.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11293403 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is designing small-molecule drugs that specifically target alpha9-containing nicotinic receptors, which may help control immune-driven and nerve-related pain. The team will make activators and blockers and use computer-guided chemistry plus lab tests to improve potency, selectivity, solubility, and stability. Promising compounds will go through absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) testing and safety checks including mutagenicity screens, and will be tested in models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain to measure anti-inflammatory and pain-relief effects. The aim is to find drug-like candidates that relieve pain without the addictive and central nervous system side effects of opioids.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21 years and older) with chronic inflammatory or neuropathic pain who want non-opioid treatment options would be the most relevant candidates for future trials from this work.
Not a fit: Children, people with only short-term acute pain, or those whose pain is not driven by inflammation or nerve injury may not benefit from these therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new non-opioid pain medicines that reduce inflammation and nerve pain with fewer central side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Some preclinical and peptide-based studies targeting α9 receptors have shown promising pain relief in animals, but creating small, drug-like molecules for human use is relatively new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Northeastern University — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thakur, Ganesh a — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Thakur, Ganesh a
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.