Understanding how spinal cord stimulation affects nerve circuits
Official title: Systematic characterization of spinal cord stimulation effects on dorsal horn populations
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-10558269 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how spinal cord stimulation helps relieve chronic pain by exploring how different settings affect certain nerve cells in the spinal cord, using specially modified mice to better understand the process and ultimately make these treatments more effective for people like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,698,239 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1NS124557-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10558269 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from intractable chronic pain in the back or limbs who may benefit from spinal cord stimulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute pain conditions or those who do not respond to spinal cord stimulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the biological mechanisms behind spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapies, which are used to treat chronic pain in the back and limbs. By using advanced techniques like multiphoton microscopy, the study aims to explore how different stimulation parameters influence specific populations of nerve cells in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The research will involve genetically modified mice to provide insights into how SCS affects GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, which are crucial for pain modulation. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of SCS therapies and improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective spinal cord stimulation therapies for chronic pain management.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding neuromodulation therapies, but this approach using advanced microscopy techniques is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sdrulla, Andrei D — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Sdrulla, Andrei D
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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.