Understanding how brain and immune system interactions contribute to chronic pain.
Disruption of Homeostatic Neuroimmune Interactions in Descending Circuitry in the Development of Pain Chronicity
This study is looking at how brain cells that help fight off illness interact with nerve cells, which might help us understand why some people experience long-lasting pain, and it hopes to find new ways to help manage that pain better for those who suffer from it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10877917 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex interactions between the brain's immune cells and neurons that may lead to chronic pain. It focuses on how certain signaling pathways, particularly the CD200-CD200R pathway, can influence pain sensitivity and the development of persistent pain. By exploring these mechanisms, the research aims to identify new therapeutic targets that could improve pain management for patients suffering from chronic conditions. The approach includes advanced techniques like 2-photon imaging to observe these interactions in real-time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing chronic pain conditions that have not responded well to current treatments.
Not a fit: Patients with acute pain or those whose pain is not related to neuroimmune interactions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for chronic pain, improving the quality of life for many patients.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been numerous studies on glial modulators, this research explores a novel aspect of neuron-glial interactions that has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wei, Feng — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Wei, Feng
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.