Understanding how opioids affect pain in HIV patients
Official title: The spinal cell atlas of opioid-targeted inflammasomes in the HIV pain model: mechanism and pathogenic role
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11054862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how opioid pain medications, which many people with HIV use, can sometimes make pain feel worse instead of better, and it aims to understand how certain cells in the body might be involved in this process to help find better ways to manage pain for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $708,397 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA062257-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who experience chronic pain and are currently using or considering opioid medications for pain relief.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have HIV or those who do not experience chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which opioid medications, commonly used to treat severe pain in HIV patients, can paradoxically increase pain sensitivity, a condition known as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). The study focuses on the role of inflammasomes, which are cellular structures involved in inflammation, in the spinal cord's pain processing center. By examining how opioids interact with these inflammasomes in the context of HIV-related pain, the research aims to uncover new insights that could lead to better pain management strategies for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management techniques for HIV patients, reducing the risk of opioid overdose and enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of opioid-induced hyperalgesia in HIV patients are not well-studied, there is emerging evidence that similar approaches to understanding neuroinflammation and pain management have shown promise in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tang, Shao-Jun — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Tang, Shao-Jun
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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.