Understanding how brain circuits communicate in chronic pain
Official title: Corticothalamic network function in chronic pain
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11113880 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different parts of the brain work together to create the feeling of chronic pain, and it's for anyone who wants to understand how things like mood and expectations can affect their pain experience.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $757,242 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS136739-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113880 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions who are willing to participate in brain recording procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute pain or those who do not have chronic pain conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex nature of chronic pain by examining how different brain circuits communicate with each other. It aims to uncover the mechanisms through which sensory, cognitive, and emotional information is integrated to create the experience of pain. By using direct recordings from the brain and advanced analytical methods, the study will explore how specific brain regions interact and how these interactions may change over time. The research will also look at how factors like mood and expectations can influence pain perception in both controlled and real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for managing and treating chronic pain more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding brain networks related to pain, but this study aims to provide deeper insights using novel methodologies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shirvalkar, Prasad — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Shirvalkar, Prasad
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Motor cortex tricks to ease chronic pain
A study in rodents and people tests whether non-invasive brain stimulation of the motor cortex can reduce chronic pain and how best to target it.
-
Human pain center study to map normal and migraine-trigeminal neurons
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Understanding human pain neurons to improve migraine care
Researchers are studying human pain-sensing neurons to uncover what makes migraine start and persist, with the goal of better treatments for people who experience migraines.
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Whole Person Pain Algorithm to personalize chronic pain care
A new, evidence-based model helps explain why chronic low back pain affects people differently and could guide personalized diagnosis and treatment.
-
Understanding how to use pharmacogenomic testing to guide chronic pain care
This grant looks at how doctors who treat long‑term pain decide when and how to use genetic testing to tailor pain medicines for safer and more effective care.
-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic pain.
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.