Understanding and treating chronic pain in sickle cell disease
Official title: Molecular Mechanism and Targeting of Chronic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11036843 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how sickle cell disease causes chronic pain and aims to find better ways to help manage that pain for people living with the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2032 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,103,783 |
| NIH project number | 1R35HL177406-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036843 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with sickle cell disease who experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of sickle cell disease or those who do not experience chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore the molecular and neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to chronic pain experienced by individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). By utilizing advanced transgenic mouse models that mimic human SCD, the study will investigate how pain is linked to the disease and develop new pharmacologic treatments. The goal is to improve pain management strategies for patients suffering from this debilitating condition, which significantly impacts their quality of life. Through this research, the team hopes to uncover effective therapies that can alleviate chronic pain associated with SCD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new and effective treatments for chronic pain in patients with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding pain mechanisms in sickle cell disease, but this approach aims to delve deeper into the neurobiology and epigenetics, making it a novel investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Zaijie Jim — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Wang, Zaijie Jim
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Sickle cell pain: understanding patient-centered outcomes, new biomarkers, and long-term health effects
This study looks at how chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease affects daily life and what biomarkers might reveal about long-term outcomes.
-
Targeting chronic pain in sickle cell disease
This project is developing new drug approaches to reduce ongoing pain for people living with sickle cell disease.
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Using dronabinol to help reduce chronic pain and inflammation in sickle cell disease
This study is looking at how a medication called dronabinol, which contains THC, can help reduce chronic pain and inflammation in adults with sickle cell disease, and it will compare its effects to a placebo over eight weeks to see if it improves pain, quality of life, and safety for those who take it.
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Using the Mediterranean diet to help reduce chronic pain in sickle cell disease
This study is looking at whether eating a Mediterranean diet can help reduce chronic pain for adults with sickle cell disease, and it involves trying out this diet for four weeks to see how it affects their health and pain levels.
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Exploring how gut bacteria and inflammation affect pain in sickle cell disease
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect pain levels in people with sickle cell disease, with the hope of finding new ways to help manage pain without relying on opioids.
-
Digital twins of the spleen to help design better therapies for sickle cell disease
A computer-driven replica of the spleen is being developed to speed up creating safer and more effective treatments for people with sickle cell disease.
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.