Using sound waves to deliver non-opioid pain relief for chronic pain
Official title: Clinical Translation of Ultrasonic Ketamine Uncaging for Non-Opioid Therapy of Chronic Pain
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10899406 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores a new way to deliver a non-opioid medication, ketamine, directly to a specific brain area using ultrasound to help people with chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,318,377 |
| NIH project number | 5UG3NS115637-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899406 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is ultimately intended for individuals experiencing chronic pain, particularly those for whom current treatments are insufficient or who wish to avoid opioid medications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose pain is not related to the anterior cingulate cortex or who do not have chronic pain may not benefit from this specific treatment approach.
What this research studies
Many people with chronic pain rely on opioid medications, which can lead to addiction. This project focuses on a brain area called the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which plays a key role in chronic pain. We are developing a method to deliver ketamine, a non-opioid drug, precisely to the ACC using special sound waves. This approach aims to provide strong pain relief without affecting the rest of the body, potentially offering a safer and more effective treatment for long-lasting pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new, non-addictive treatment option for chronic pain that provides long-lasting relief with fewer side effects than current systemic medications.
How similar studies have gone: While local therapies to the ACC have shown clinical benefit for chronic pain, this specific method of ultrasonic drug delivery is a novel and untested approach in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Airan, Raag D — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Airan, Raag D
Related research
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Ultrasound-triggered ketamine delivery to a brain region to treat chronic pain
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Using ultrasound to activate ketamine for treating chronic pain without opioids
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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.