Understanding pain mechanisms in the cornea
Official title: Central and Peripheral Mechanisms of Corneal Pain
Funded at University of New England · NIH-10913422 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pain from the eye's surface is felt and can sometimes lead to ongoing pain, and it's for anyone who experiences eye pain or wants to understand more about it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New England NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Biddeford, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,314,396 |
| NIH project number | 5U01EY034709-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10913422 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing chronic corneal pain or related ocular conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute corneal injuries that do not lead to chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how pain signals from the cornea are processed and how they can lead to chronic pain conditions. It focuses on the diverse types of nerve cells in the cornea and their responses to injury, using advanced techniques to analyze gene expression in both mouse and human nerve cells. By exploring the connections between corneal nerves and brain regions involved in pain perception, the study aims to uncover new insights into the mechanisms of corneal pain and potential treatment targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from chronic corneal pain.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding pain mechanisms in other tissues.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New England
Biddeford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meng, Ian D — University of New England
- Study coordinator: Meng, Ian D
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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.