Understanding brain signals for pain after surgery
Central glutamate signaling in postoperative pain regulation - Renewal 2
This research aims to uncover how the brain processes pain after surgery to help develop new, non-opioid ways to manage it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144431 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people experience significant pain after surgery, and there's a need for better pain relief options that don't rely on opioids. This project focuses on specific areas in the brain, like the prelimbic cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, which are important for how we feel and react to pain. By studying how these brain circuits are disrupted in chronic pain, researchers hope to find new targets for treatments. The goal is to understand the brain's natural pain regulation system better, paving the way for innovative non-opioid pain medications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals experiencing acute or chronic pain after surgery, especially those seeking alternatives to opioid medications.
Not a fit: Patients whose pain is not related to central brain mechanisms or postoperative conditions may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new, non-addictive medications that effectively relieve chronic pain after surgery by targeting specific brain pathways.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown that these brain regions play a role in pain processing, supporting the hypothesis that targeting these circuits could be a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jing — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jing
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.