Understanding pain in older adults and its causes
Official title: Pain in the Elderly: Role of Hyperalgesic Priming
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11184521 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why older adults often feel more pain than they should, by using aged rats to understand how past injuries and inflammation can make their pain receptors more sensitive, with the hope of finding new ways to help ease chronic pain for seniors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $246,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG086905-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11184521 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind chronic pain in older adults, focusing on a phenomenon called hyperalgesic priming, which is a change in how pain receptors function due to past injuries or stress. The study will use aged rats to explore how inflammation and other factors contribute to this heightened sensitivity to pain. By measuring inflammatory markers and examining the mechanisms of pain receptor changes, the research aims to identify potential treatments that could alleviate chronic pain in the elderly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively reduce chronic pain in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding pain mechanisms in older populations, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Araldi, Dioneia — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Araldi, Dioneia
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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.