Ultrasound-triggered ketamine delivery to a brain region to treat chronic pain
Official title: Clinical Translation of Ultrasonic Ketamine Uncaging for Non-Opioid Therapy of Chronic Pain
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11540446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Stanford team is testing a new way to give ketamine exactly where it’s needed in the brain to relieve chronic pain without opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | May 16, 2026 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $409,088 |
| NIH project number | 3UG3NS115637-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11540446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic pain who are candidates for brain-targeted or non-opioid pain therapies and can undergo brain imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without chronic pain or those unable to undergo ultrasound-targeted brain procedures may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to translate a groundbreaking ultrasound-triggered drug release approach to treat chronic pain by delivering ketamine directly to the anterior cingulate cortex. By using ultrasound to uncage ketamine from safe nanocarriers, the method targets a key brain region involved in pain, potentially reducing systemic side effects. If successful, this could provide a non-opioid option with a more predictable dose response and the possibility of personalized treatment guided by brain imaging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with chronic pain could receive effective, non-opioid relief with fewer side effects and better targeting.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data support targeted ultrasound-triggered drug release; human translation is in early stages.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Airan, Raag D — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Airan, Raag D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Ultrasound-triggered ketamine release to target brain pain circuits
Using focused ultrasound to release tiny amounts of ketamine directly in a specific brain area to relieve long-term chronic pain without opioids for people with persistent pain.
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Using sound waves to deliver non-opioid pain relief for chronic pain
This research explores a new way to deliver a non-opioid medication, ketamine, directly to a specific brain area using ultrasound to help people with chronic pain.
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A large NIH-funded project will map and study the human trigeminal neurons involved in migraines to understand what changes in these cells during headache conditions.
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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.