Understanding why women experience more severe osteoarthritis pain than men
Official title: Mechanisms underlying sex differences in emergence of advanced osteoarthritis pain
Funded at University of New England · NIH-10848777 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at why women with osteoarthritis often feel more pain than men by examining changes in nerves in mice, hoping to find new ways to help manage pain for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New England NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Biddeford, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $142,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R16GM153601-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10848777 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women experiencing advanced osteoarthritis pain, particularly those who have not found relief from current treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are male or those with early-stage osteoarthritis may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the differences in how osteoarthritis pain develops between sexes, particularly focusing on why women tend to experience more severe pain than men. Using a mouse model, the study examines the changes in nerve structures in the joints and surrounding muscles as osteoarthritis progresses from mid-stage to advanced pain. By comparing male and female mice, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to increased pain sensitivity in females, despite less visible joint damage. This could help identify new treatment strategies tailored to address these differences in pain perception.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective pain management strategies specifically designed for women suffering from advanced osteoarthritis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding sex differences in pain mechanisms can lead to improved treatment outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New England
Biddeford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: King, Tamara E — University of New England
- Study coordinator: King, Tamara E
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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.