Understanding the brain's role in chronic pain
Official title: Investigation of neural ensembles underlying chronic pain
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10982448 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain cells are involved in turning short-term pain into long-lasting pain, with the hope of finding new, safer treatments for chronic pain that don't use opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | November 12, 2022 |
| Project end | November 11, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $53,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F30DA056215-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10982448 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute pain that has not transitioned to a chronic state may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how specific groups of neurons in the brain contribute to chronic pain, which affects many adults worldwide. By focusing on the basolateral amygdala, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to the transition from acute to chronic pain. The approach includes advanced brain imaging techniques to observe neural activity and its relationship to pain perception. The goal is to identify new, non-addictive treatments for chronic pain that do not rely on opioids.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative, non-addictive therapies for managing chronic pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the neural mechanisms of pain, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hui, May — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Hui, May
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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.