Using a new treatment to manage surgical pain without opioids

Binding NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) to Treat Surgical Pain

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-10846174

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 typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-10846174 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are undergoing surgical procedures and may be at risk for opioid-related complications.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing surgery or who do not experience surgical pain may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.