Understanding and treating headaches after concussions
Official title: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies for Post-traumatic Headache
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-10874748 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at headaches that can happen after a concussion, trying to figure out why some people have ongoing pain and how we might be able to help them feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $472,677 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS114888-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874748 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a mild traumatic brain injury and are suffering from post-traumatic headaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a concussion or do not suffer from headaches related to head trauma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates post-traumatic headache (PTH), which often occurs after a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). It aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of PTH and persistent post-traumatic headache (PPTH) and to explore potential treatment strategies. The researchers use a mouse model to simulate the effects of concussion and study the resulting headache symptoms, including pain sensitivity and changes in specific blood markers. By identifying the differences between acute and persistent headaches, the research seeks to develop targeted therapies for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments for individuals suffering from headaches following concussions.
How similar studies have gone: While the mechanisms of post-traumatic headache are not fully understood, similar research approaches have shown promise in understanding headache disorders and developing treatments.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porreca, Frank — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Porreca, Frank
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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.