Understanding the mechanisms of neuropathic pain using nerve tissue from patients
Anatomic, Physiologic and Transcriptomic Mechanisms of Neuropathic Pain in Human DRG
This study is looking at the nerves involved in chronic pain by examining tissue samples from patients having spine surgery, to better understand how pain works differently in men and women, which could help improve pain treatment for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10827448 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the biological mechanisms behind neuropathic pain by analyzing dorsal root ganglia (DRG) collected from patients undergoing spine surgery. The study involves cutting the DRG into thirds for various analyses, including immunohistochemistry, electrophysiology, and RNA sequencing. By comparing DRGs from the same patient with differing pain experiences, the research aims to uncover the cellular and molecular changes associated with chronic pain. The findings may reveal important differences in pain mechanisms between males and females, providing insights into personalized pain management.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing spine stabilization surgery who have been phenotyped for pain.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have neuropathic pain or are not undergoing the specified surgical procedure may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for neuropathic pain tailored to individual patients' biological profiles.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding pain mechanisms through similar approaches, but this study offers novel insights by focusing on the unique characteristics of DRG in pain phenotypes.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dougherty, Patrick M — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Dougherty, Patrick M
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.