Understanding how spinal cord injuries lead to chronic back and spine pain
Official title: Investigating back pain injury mechanisms associated with chronic pain behaviors
Funded at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine · NIH-11444618 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how injuries to the thoracolumbar spine trigger lasting pain, with the goal of finding better treatments for people who have had traumatic spinal cord injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $592,397 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AT013514-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444618 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with traumatic spinal cord injury who may develop chronic pain could benefit from advances arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without spinal cord injury or chronic pain may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project aims to map the biological processes that cause chronic pain after non-penetrating thoracolumbar spinal cord injuries. Using animal and cellular models, the team will explore how ischemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death contribute to pain and nerve damage. The work seeks to identify targets that could be addressed with new therapies to reduce pain and improve function for SCI patients. By understanding these mechanisms, researchers hope to pave the way for safer, non-addictive pain management options and better recovery after injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that lessen chronic pain and improve quality of life for people with traumatic spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in SCI pain mechanisms has shown that targeting inflammatory and degenerative pathways can reduce pain in models, supporting potential translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roballo, Kelly — Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Study coordinator: Roballo, Kelly
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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.