Understanding pain caused by touch after injuries
Official title: Investigation of Mechanical Allodynia Circuitry by the Nature of the Injury
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11165050 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain injuries can make everyday touches feel painful for people with conditions like diabetes or those who have had chemotherapy, and it hopes to find better ways to help manage that pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $597,999 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS139529-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11165050 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing mechanical allodynia due to diabetes, chemotherapy, or other neuropathic injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute pain not related to chronic conditions or those without a history of neuropathic injuries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain injuries lead to a painful response to normally harmless touch, known as mechanical allodynia. By examining the neuronal circuits in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, the study aims to identify the specific neuronal populations involved in this condition. The researchers will explore how different types of injuries, such as those caused by diabetes or chemotherapy, affect these pain pathways. This work could lead to better understanding and treatment options for patients suffering from chronic pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that alleviate chronic pain for patients suffering from conditions like diabetes and neuropathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding pain mechanisms, but this specific approach to dissecting the circuitry of mechanical allodynia is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seal, Rebecca P — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Seal, Rebecca P
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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.