Using ketamine to enhance the body's natural pain relief system
Official title: Enhancement of the endogenous opioid system by ketamine
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11078223 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how ketamine, a medication often used for anesthesia, affects the body's natural pain and mood control system, with the goal of finding better treatments for chronic pain, depression, and issues with opioid use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $557,202 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058681-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078223 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from chronic pain, major depressive disorder, or those struggling with opioid use disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any of the targeted conditions or who are not responsive to ketamine may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how ketamine, a medication known for its anesthetic properties, interacts with the body's natural opioid system, which plays a crucial role in pain management and mood regulation. The study aims to understand both the immediate and lasting effects of ketamine on opioid receptors, which could lead to new treatments for conditions like chronic pain, major depressive disorder, and opioid use disorder. By examining these interactions, the research hopes to uncover mechanisms that could improve patient outcomes and provide insights into effective pain relief strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for pain management and mental health disorders, potentially reducing reliance on traditional opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in using ketamine for pain and depression, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Devi, Lakshmi a — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Devi, Lakshmi a
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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.