Using a new treatment to manage surgical pain without opioids
Official title: Binding NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) to Treat Surgical Pain
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10846174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for a safer way to manage pain after surgery for older adults by testing a new treatment that doesn’t use opioids, which can be risky for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $427,187 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG086147-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10846174 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are undergoing surgical procedures and may be at risk for opioid-related complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or who do not experience surgical pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to find a non-opioid treatment for surgical pain, particularly focusing on older adults who face unique challenges with opioid medications. The approach involves developing a peptidomimetic that blocks a specific protein interaction related to inflammation, which is a key factor in pain. By testing this treatment in both young and old rodents, the researchers hope to determine its effectiveness in alleviating pain without the risks associated with opioids. This could lead to safer pain management options for patients undergoing surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer alternative to opioids for managing surgical pain, reducing the risk of addiction and other complications.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing non-opioid treatments for pain management, but this specific approach targeting NEMO is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gross, Eric Richard — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Gross, Eric Richard
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.