Understanding how the brain controls pain to improve treatment for chronic pain
Official title: Integrating brain and behavioral measures of central pain inhibition to personalize treatment in chronic pain management
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11053624 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well the brain can block pain in people with chronic pain, using special tools to see how their brains respond, with the hope of finding better ways to help manage their pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $185,208 |
| NIH project number | 5K23NS123429-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053624 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing chronic pain conditions who may benefit from tailored pain management strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute pain or those not experiencing chronic pain may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's ability to inhibit pain affects individuals with chronic pain. By using innovative techniques like functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and offset analgesia, the study aims to measure brain activity and pain responses in patients. The goal is to identify how changes in central pain inhibition can inform personalized treatment strategies, potentially leading to better pain management outcomes for patients. This approach seeks to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and real-world patient experiences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective, personalized treatments for individuals suffering from chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using brain imaging and behavioral measures to understand pain mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alter, Benedict J — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Alter, Benedict J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving chronic pain management for Veterans
This study is working on a helpful tool for Veterans with chronic pain that lets them share their experiences and preferences, so they can work together with their healthcare providers to find the best treatment options, including alternatives to opioids.
-
Improving pain management for diverse patients facing stigma and isolation
This study is looking to improve pain management for people from different backgrounds who may not have easy access to care by trying out group visits and acupuncture in primary care clinics, so they can feel less pain and more connected to others.
-
Understanding chronic pain and its management in older adults
This study is looking at how common chronic pain is in older adults aged 65 and up, and it wants to learn more about how they manage their pain and how it affects their daily lives, so we can better understand their needs.
-
Exploring new therapies for managing chronic pain through advanced analysis methods
This study is exploring new ways to help people with chronic pain by using special therapies that change how the brain processes pain, and it's designed for those who haven't found relief with regular pain medications.
-
Motor cortex tricks to ease chronic pain
A study in rodents and people tests whether non-invasive brain stimulation of the motor cortex can reduce chronic pain and how best to target it.
-
Human pain center study to map normal and migraine-trigeminal neurons
A large NIH-funded project will map and study the human trigeminal neurons involved in migraines to understand what changes in these cells during headache conditions.
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.