Understanding how the brain controls escape behaviors in response to pain.
Official title: The Cellular and Neural Circuit Basis of Flexible Escape Behavior
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11082968 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny fruit fly larvae react to pain and touch, to understand how their brains help them escape from danger, which could help us learn more about conditions where normal sensations feel painful, like allodynia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31NS137735-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082968 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing conditions related to abnormal pain sensitivity, such as allodynia or hyperalgesia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic pain conditions unrelated to the mechanisms being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms that enable flexible escape behaviors in response to painful stimuli, particularly focusing on how these behaviors can change based on different sensory contexts. Using Drosophila larvae as a model organism, the study aims to explore how the brain integrates signals from pain and touch to trigger protective withdrawal actions. The researchers will utilize advanced genetic tools to manipulate specific cells and circuits in the larvae's nervous system, allowing for detailed analysis of the underlying biological processes. By understanding these mechanisms, the research hopes to shed light on conditions like allodynia, where normal sensations become painful.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into pain management and treatment strategies for conditions characterized by abnormal pain sensitivity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using model organisms like Drosophila to study neural mechanisms of behavior, indicating a promising approach for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wood, Abby — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Wood, Abby
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.