Understanding how brain injuries lead to chronic pain
Official title: The Role of Pain-Facilitating Circuits in Chronic Pain after Traumatic Brain Injury
Funded at Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys · NIH-10925621 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a concussion might lead to ongoing pain, like headaches or body aches, and aims to understand how the brain's pain control systems are affected, so we can find better ways to help people who are struggling with pain after their injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1IK2BX006567-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10925621 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 chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic pain not related to traumatic brain injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussion, and the development of chronic pain conditions such as headaches and body pain. It aims to uncover the neurophysiological mechanisms that disrupt the body's natural pain modulation systems after an mTBI. By studying the brain circuits involved in pain facilitation and inhibition, the research seeks to identify why some individuals experience prolonged pain following their injury. This knowledge could pave the way for targeted therapies to alleviate chronic pain in affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that specifically address chronic pain resulting from traumatic brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding pain mechanisms related to brain injuries, indicating that this research builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
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Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Qiliang — Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
- Study coordinator: Chen, Qiliang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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New ways to treat chronic pain after mild brain injuries
A research team is studying why some people develop long-lasting pain after a mild head injury and how brain inflammation contributes to it.
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New approaches for long-term pain after repeated mild head injuries
The project looks at whether blocking a brain inflammation pathway can reduce long-term pain after repeated mild head injuries in people of different ages and sexes.
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How concussion-related brain circuits cause long-lasting pain
This project looks at how concussion changes brain circuits that can make headaches and body pain persist, to help people with ongoing pain after mild TBI.
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New treatments for chronic pain from mild brain injuries
This study is looking at how mild concussions, which many older veterans experience, can lead to long-lasting pain and inflammation in the brain, and it hopes to find new ways to help those dealing with chronic pain from these injuries.
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AI-enhanced virtual reality tool to support remote emergency brain surgery training in Tanzania
A new AI-powered virtual reality tool helps non-experts in low-resource areas get real-time remote guidance for emergency traumatic brain injury surgery.
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How head injury affects the heart and blood vessels
This project aims to find out whether traumatic brain injuries make people more likely to develop hardened arteries and heart problems, especially among veterans.
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.