Understanding how spinal circuits transmit and regulate visceral pain.
Official title: Spinal Circuit Mechanisms of Visceral Sensory Transmission and Regulation
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11165490 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain nerve cells in the spinal cord affect belly pain, especially for people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, to help find better ways to manage this pain and its connection to stress and mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $726,140 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DK139477-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11165490 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS or IBD, particularly those experiencing chronic visceral pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute gastrointestinal issues or those not experiencing chronic visceral pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind visceral pain, particularly in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. It focuses on specific neurons in the spinal cord that may play a crucial role in how visceral pain is processed and perceived. By studying these neural circuits, the research aims to uncover new insights into the relationship between visceral pain and stress-related psychiatric disorders. The findings could lead to better clinical management strategies for patients suffering from chronic visceral pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from chronic visceral pain and related psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in understanding the neural mechanisms of visceral pain, suggesting that this research could build on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Hongzhen — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Hu, Hongzhen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving Breast Cancer Guideline Adherence in Nigeria
Aimed at helping doctors in Nigeria follow international guideline-based breast cancer care to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer.
-
Genetically Validated PCOS Subtypes for Better Diagnosis and Risk Stratification
Aimed at women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), this project uses genetic data and patient characteristics to define distinct PCOS subtypes and improve how we diagnose and estimate risk.
-
Closed-loop control of interneuron timing to influence seizures and memory in epilepsy
A study tests a brain-quieting system that uses light to precisely time certain brain cells in epilepsy-prone mice to see if this can lessen seizures and improve memory.
-
Understanding why some brain regions and cells accumulate tau in Alzheimer’s and related diseases
Researchers are studying why certain brain areas and neuron types accumulate tau protein in Alzheimer’s and related conditions, and how this leads to brain changes and symptoms.
-
Improving blood flow after stroke by breaking down NETs
Aims to see if breaking down neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) after an ischemic stroke can improve blood flow and reduce brain injury in patients.
-
Aging and brain injury connection: learning how late-life TBI relates to Alzheimer’s and related dementias
This grant looks at whether traumatic brain injuries in people 65 and older are linked to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, using a large, harmonized set of long-term aging studies.
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.