Using ketamine to help prevent chronic pain after surgery
Official title: Optimizing the use of ketamine to reduce chronic postsurgical pain
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11092570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how ketamine can help reduce the chances of developing long-lasting pain after breast surgery, by easing immediate pain, anxiety, and depression, to help patients feel better overall after their operation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $474,022 |
| NIH project number | 3UH3CA261067-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery who are at risk for developing chronic postsurgical pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or those who do not experience significant postoperative pain may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how ketamine can be used after surgery to reduce the risk of developing chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), particularly in patients who have undergone mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. The study aims to understand how ketamine can alleviate acute pain, anxiety, and depression, which are known to contribute to the development of chronic pain. By administering ketamine during the postoperative period, the researchers hope to enhance the body's natural pain control mechanisms and improve patient outcomes. The research is part of a larger initiative focused on effective pain management strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of chronic pain in postoperative patients, leading to better long-term pain management and reduced reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results for the use of ketamine in reducing postsurgical pain, indicating that this approach has potential based on existing clinical evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jing — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jing
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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.