Using ultrasound to activate ketamine for treating chronic pain without opioids
Official title: Clinical Translation of Ultrasonic Ketamine Uncaging for Non-Opioid Therapy of Chronic Pain
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11090278 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with chronic pain by using sound waves to activate ketamine in the brain, aiming to ease the emotional struggles that come with pain and improve overall treatment, which could also help those dealing with opioid use issues.
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 | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $129,968 |
| NIH project number | 3UG3NS115637-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090278 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from chronic pain, particularly those with significant emotional distress related to their condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience chronic pain or those with conditions that do not have an affective component may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treating chronic pain by using ultrasonic technology to activate ketamine in the brain, specifically targeting the anterior cingulate cortex. The goal is to alleviate the emotional distress associated with chronic pain, which can significantly affect how patients perceive and experience pain. By focusing on the affective component of pain, this method aims to improve overall treatment outcomes for patients suffering from chronic pain and potentially other neuropsychiatric disorders. The research also explores the implications for treating opioid use disorder by addressing mood disturbances that often lead to relapse.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a non-opioid therapy option for chronic pain management, reducing reliance on traditional pain medications.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of ketamine for pain management is established, the specific approach of ultrasonic uncaging is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
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
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using sound waves to deliver non-opioid pain relief for chronic pain
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.
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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.