Understanding Pain in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
CNS Pain Mechanisms in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: Implications for the Acute to Chronic Pain Transition
This research explores how acute joint pain in people with early rheumatoid arthritis can become chronic, aiming to find ways to prevent long-lasting pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10912542 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Millions of Americans live with severe arthritis pain, and it becomes harder to treat the longer it lasts. This project focuses on the first year after a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, a critical time when acute pain can turn into chronic, widespread pain sensitivity. We are looking for clinical factors and changes in the brain and spinal cord that predict this shift. Our goal is to identify what makes some people develop chronic pain so we can design ways to stop it from happening.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future related studies might include individuals recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis who are experiencing acute joint pain.
Not a fit: Patients with established chronic pain or those without rheumatoid arthritis may not directly benefit from this specific research focus on early pain transition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies to prevent chronic pain in individuals with early rheumatoid arthritis, improving their long-term quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from a Canadian early arthritis cohort has shown that conditions like fibromyalgia, which involve widespread pain, are most common in the first year after an RA diagnosis, suggesting this is a critical period to study.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Yvonne Claire — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Yvonne Claire
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.