Understanding how sex differences affect chronic pain after trauma
Official title: Sex-dependent microRNA-mediated pathways to chronic musculoskeletal pain following trauma
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11042705 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how men and women feel and deal with long-lasting pain after an injury, focusing on tiny molecules in the body that might affect this pain differently for each sex, with the hope of finding better treatments for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | February 23, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $458,548 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081454-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042705 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals who have experienced significant trauma and are suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain, with a focus on understanding differences between men and women.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced trauma or do not suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how men and women experience chronic musculoskeletal pain differently after a traumatic event. It focuses on the role of specific microRNAs, particularly miR-19, in influencing pain development based on sex. By analyzing data from both human participants and animal models, the study aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that lead to chronic pain, which could help in developing targeted treatments. The research will utilize advanced techniques to gather and analyze physiological and neuroimmune data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective, sex-specific treatments for chronic pain following trauma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that sex differences play a crucial role in pain mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Linnstaedt, Sarah — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Linnstaedt, Sarah
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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.