Using cold to trigger local anesthesia for pain relief
Official title: Cold triggered Local Anesthesia for Pain Management
Funded at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa · NIH-10870079 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to manage pain using a special anesthetic that works better when it's cooled down, so patients can get relief from pain safely and effectively whenever they need it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tuscaloosa, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $311,932 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM144388-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10870079 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing procedures that require localized pain relief.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require local anesthesia or have contraindications to tetrodotoxin may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to local anesthesia that can be activated on demand using cold temperatures. By combining a potent anesthetic called tetrodotoxin with cold therapy and specialized polymers, the goal is to create a system that allows for precise pain management without the drawbacks of current methods. Patients may receive an initial injection, and subsequent pain relief can be triggered by applying cold, making it a potentially safer and more effective option for pain control. This method aims to enhance the duration and effectiveness of pain relief while minimizing side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with a more effective and controllable method of pain management.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been successful studies on light and ultrasound-triggered anesthesia, the cold-triggered approach is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Chao — University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Chao
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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.