Understanding how chronic pain affects emotions and thinking in dogs.
Official title: Innovative modeling of the biopsychosocial model in animals: Validation of outcomes for assessing emotional and cognitive domains affected by naturally-occurring chronic pain in dogs
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11050788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how chronic pain from osteoarthritis affects the feelings and thinking of pet dogs, and it aims to create new ways to measure these impacts so we can find better treatments for both dogs and people dealing with similar pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $3,320,159 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR085335-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pet dogs diagnosed with chronic osteoarthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not own dogs or whose dogs do not have chronic pain conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the emotional and cognitive impacts of chronic pain, specifically osteoarthritis, in pet dogs. By developing and validating new assessment tools, the study aims to better understand how pain affects dogs' behavior and mental functions. The findings could help improve treatment strategies for both dogs and humans suffering from similar conditions. The research utilizes a unique animal model to bridge the gap between human and animal pain experiences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management strategies for dogs, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While research on chronic pain in animals is ongoing, this specific approach of integrating emotional and cognitive assessments in dogs is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gruen, Margaret Elizabeth — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Gruen, Margaret Elizabeth
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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.