Understanding Opioid Receptors for Chronic Pain Relief
REST-mediated regulation of opioid receptors in chronic pain mouse models
This research explores how certain genes affect opioid receptors to find better ways to manage chronic pain and reduce opioid use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159852 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Chronic neuropathic pain affects millions of people and is very challenging to treat, often requiring strong pain medications like opioids. While opioids are powerful pain relievers, long-term use can lead to increased pain sensitivity, tolerance, and addiction, contributing to a national crisis. This project looks at a key genetic regulator called REST, which appears to influence how opioid receptors work in the body's pain pathways. By understanding how REST affects these receptors, we hope to discover new strategies to boost the pain-relieving effects of opioids while lowering the risk of side effects and addiction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients, but future clinical applications would target individuals suffering from chronic neuropathic pain.
Not a fit: Patients without chronic neuropathic pain or those not using opioid medications would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that provide more effective pain relief for chronic neuropathic pain with fewer side effects and a reduced risk of opioid dependence.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work by this team and others has identified the REST gene's role in pain pathways, suggesting a promising direction for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Majumder, Sadhan — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Majumder, Sadhan
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 below.