Understanding how pain-sensing neurons affect intestinal inflammation and healing
Official title: Nociceptor regulation of intestinal inflammation and tissue protection
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11136945 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain nerve cells that sense pain might help protect your gut but can also cause problems in people with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and it hopes to find new ways to ease pain and inflammation for those affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $90,000 |
| NIH project number | 5K99DK138295-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136945 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly those experiencing abdominal pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders or those without abdominal pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of nociceptor sensory neurons in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which affect millions of Americans. It aims to explore how these pain-sensing neurons and their neuropeptides can protect tissue but may become dysfunctional in IBD, leading to increased inflammation and impaired healing. By utilizing advanced techniques from various scientific fields, the study seeks to uncover the complex interactions between the nervous system, immune response, and gut microbiota. This could provide insights into new treatment strategies for managing abdominal pain and inflammation in IBD patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve pain management and tissue healing for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of nociceptors in other inflammatory conditions, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Wen — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Wen
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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.