Funded Projects

Explore our currently funded projects. You may search with all three fields, then focus your results by applying any of the dropdown filters. After customizing your search, you may download results and even save your specific search for later.

Project # Project Title Sort descending Research Focus Area Research Program Administering IC Institution(s) Investigator(s) Location(s) Year Awarded
3U24TR001609-04S1
TIN Supplement Clinical Research in Pain Management Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN) NCATS Johns Hopkins University Hanley, Daniel Baltimore, MD 2019
NOFO Title: CTSA Network - Trial Innovation Centers (TICs) (U24)
NOFO Number: RFA-TR-15-002
3U24TR001579-04S1
TIN Supplement Clinical Research in Pain Management Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN) NCATS Vanderbilt University Harris, Paul A Nashville, TN 2019
NOFO Title: Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Network Recruitment Innovation Centers (RICs)(U24)
NOFO Number: RFA-TR-15-004
1R61AT012187-01
Total-Body PET for Assessing Myofascial Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NCCIH UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS CHAUDHARI, ABHIJIT J (contact); NARDO, LORENZO Davis, CA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Developing Quantitative Imaging and Other Relevant Biomarkers of Myofascial Tissues for Clinical Pain Management
NOFO Number: RFA-AT-22-003
Summary:

Myofascial pain syndrome is a prevalent and debilitating condition and can aggravate other conditions such as sickle cell disease. This project will use total body imaging using positron emission tomography/computed tomography (TB-PET/CT) to identify and monitor this pain syndrome and potential treatments over time. The research will use TB-PET/CT to assess myofascial tissue effects of chronic low back pain and sickle cell disease pain. The first phase of the project will assess health changes observed by TB-PET/CT imaging in painful and non-painful myofascial tissues compared to healthy myofascial tissue. The second phase of the research will be a randomized, controlled longitudinal interventional study to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture on myofascial pain syndrome, using TB-PET/CT imaging to assess changes.

1UG3DA059407-01
Towards Treatment for the Complex Patient: Investigations of Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound New Strategies to Prevent and Treat Opioid Addiction Optimizing Care for People with Opioid Use Disorder and Mental Health Conditions NIDA INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH, INC. LEE, MARY (contact); LEGON, WYNN Washington, D.C 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Therapeutics Development for Opioid Use Disorder in Patients with Co-occurring Mental Disorders (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-23-049
Summary:

Patients with opioid use disorder and co-occurring chronic pain and anxiety are at the highest risk for opioid overdose deaths. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) is an innovative, noninvasive method that can be used to alter brain activity and potentially repair dysfunctional brain circuits involved in these disorders. This project will examine how LIFU directed to a small but critical brain region implicated in all three of these disorders, the anterior insula, can reduce drug craving, pain response, and anxiety symptoms as well as improve the physiological processes that may underlie the symptoms experienced by these patients.

1R21DA057598-01
Tracking the Opioid Epidemic with Social Media: An Early Warning System Cross-Cutting Research Leveraging Existing and Real-Time Opioid and Pain Management Data NIDA STANFORD UNIVERSITY ALTMAN, RUSS BIAGIO Redwood City, CA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Exploratory Data and Methods to Address Urgent Needs to Stem the Opioid Epidemic (R21- Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-22-045
Summary:

A key component to addressing the current opioid overdose crisis is the ability to track dangerous opioid use in a timely manner so that public health agencies can plan accordingly. Direct reports about drug use and overdoses from social media might provide a useful early warning system that when combined with other sources, can provide policy makers and public health officials with powerful tools for monitoring this public health crisis. This project will explore the usefulness of Twitter and Reddit as a social media component of opioid use surveillance – in particular by monitoring mentions of fentanyl and synthetic opioids at various geographic levels (e.g., local or regional) and over time.

1UH3NS115118-01
Transcranial focused ultrasound for head and neck cancer pain. A pilot study Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Translating Discoveries into Effective Devices to Treat Pain NINDS UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA ELIAS, WILLIAM JEFFREY Charlottesville, VA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Clinical Devices to Treat Pain (UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-19-018
Summary:

Head and neck cancer is particularly susceptible to nociceptive and neuropathic pains because it is dense with sensitive anatomic structures and richly innervated. Transcranial magnetic resonance imaging–guided focused ultrasound (FUS) is a new stereotactic modality capable of delivering high-intensity energy through the intact human skull with submillimeter precision. This clinical trial will target the spinothalamic and spinoreticular pain circuits by unilateral FUS mesencephalotomy, an effective procedure for cancer pain but limited by the accuracy of its era. The primary aim is to assess the safety and preliminary effectiveness in six head and neck cancer patients with opioid-resistant pain. Researchers will investigate the potential mechanism of pain relief as the mesencephalotomy target involves the confluence of the ascending and descending pain systems. Aims 2 and 3 will investigate these systems with electrophysiology specific for the spinothalamic tract and carfentenil positron emission tomography imaging that measures the brain’s endogenous opioids.

1R01DA056658-01
Transcriptomic Single-Cell Profiling in Breathing-Specific Parabrachial Mu-Opioid Receptor Neurons Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose NIDA Salk Institute for Biological Sciences HAN, SUNG La Jolla, CA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Novel Targets for Opioid Use Disorders and Opioid Overdose (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-22-031
Summary:

Opioids can be effective analgesics but can also be fatal due to opioid-induced respiratory depression after overdose. This project will use cutting-edge molecular, physiological, behavioral, and imaging techniques to better understand and distinguish opioid-induced respiratory depression and opioid-mediated analgesia. Nerve cell-specific, single-cell transcriptomic analysis will be used to identify functional markers expressed in nerve cells that play a specific role in opioid-induced respiratory depression, but not opioid analgesia. This research study will help to identify novel therapeutic targets that could selectively rescue opioid-induced respiratory depression while maintaining the beneficial pain-relieving effects of opioids. 

1R43DA050360-01
Transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation for neonatal abstinence syndrome Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NIDA SPARK BIOMEDICAL INC KHODAPARAST, NAVID (contact); JENKINS, DOROTHEA DENISE Friendswood, TX 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: America’s Startups and Small Businesses Build Technologies to Stop the Opioid Crisis (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-19-019
Summary:

As of 2012, an infant with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) was born every 25 minutes in the United States, accounting for more than $1.5 billion in national health care expenditures. These infants frequently require hospital stay in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with an average hospital stay of 25 days at an average treatment cost of $66,000. Treatment of NAS usually follows a multimodal regime based on drug therapy with an oral morphine solution, mostly in combination with a sedative, but there is a need for nonpharmacological approaches. This project will test a transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation device to help NAS babies recover from opioid withdrawal without harmful side effects. The non-invasive, auricular neurostimulation device will be placed around the ear (similar to a hearing aid), and stimulation will be delivered transcutaneously.

1UG3DA058439-01
Transcutaneous Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Treating Opioid Overdose Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose NIDA CORIDEA, LLC LEVIN, HOWARD (contact); COMER, SANDRA D; GUEDES, ALONSO; WAGENER, GEBHARD New York, NY 2023
NOFO Title: Device-Based Treatments for Substance Use Disorders (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: PAR-20-279
Summary:

Difficulty breathing is a hallmark symptom of an opioid-related overdose and can result in permanent brain injury or death within minutes. This project will develop a community-deployable Automated External Respiration System device that can restore and sustain breathing in people experiencing opioid-induced respiratory depression. The device stimulates the phrenic nerve in the chest that controls breathing until other medical interventions are available or the patient recovers. The research will develop and validate the automated external respiration system for testing in human research participants and ultimately aims to develop a system usable in a community setting.

1U01DA057846-01
Transdermal Rotigotine as Adjunct to Behavioral Therapy for Cocaine Use Disorder Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose NIDA VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY BJORK, JAMES M; ARIAS, ALBERT JOSEPH Richmond, VA 2022
NOFO Title: Grand Opportunity in Medications Development for Substance-Use Disorders (U01)
NOFO Number: PAR-19-327
Summary:

Currently no medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat cocaine use disorder, which compromises cognitive function associated with achieving goals such as working memory, the ability to update information, and mental flexibility. This project will test whether  stimulating dopamine activity in the brain with the drug rotigotine (approved to treat Parkinson’s disease) is effective for treating cocaine use disorder. Past research has also shown that rotigotine can improve nerve cell and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease. This project will conduct a clinical trial to test whether treatment with rotigotine combined with cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce cocaine use in people with cocaine use disorder.

1R44DA050339-01
Transforming smartphones into active sonar systems to detect opioid overdose Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NIDA SOUND LIFE SCIENCES, INC. GILLESPY, THURMAN (contact); GOLLAKOTA, SHYAMNATH ; SUNSHINE, JACOB Seattle, WA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: America’s Startups and Small Businesses Build Technologies to Stop the Opioid Crisis (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-19-019
Summary:

Deaths from opioid overdose are highly preventable with early detection and administration of naloxone, but overdose victims often die because they are alone or among untrained or impaired bystanders and thus do not receive timely resuscitation. There is an urgent, unmet need for a low-barrier, easily scalable solution that can identify opioid overdoses in real time and rapidly connect victims to naloxone therapy. This proposal seeks to commercialize an innovative overdose detection software product that can be downloaded on any commodity smartphone and can detect opioid- induced respiratory failure (i.e., overdose) and summon help. The software-only product, SecondChance, converts a smartphone into a short-range active sonar system capable of monitoring breathing and detecting overdose.

3UM1NS118922-03S2
Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain After Thoracic Surgery Cross-Cutting Research Increasing Participant Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement in HEAL Research NINDS UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN BRUMMETT, CHAD M; CHANG, ANDREW CHING-HUNG; CLAUW, DANIEL J; WALJEE, JENNIFER FILIP Ann Arbor, MI 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) regarding the Availability of Administrative Supplements to Support Strategies to Increase Participant Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement in Clinical Studies
NOFO Number: NOT-NS-22-066
Summary:

Rigorous and impactful clinical pain research requires participant diversity that reflects the racial/ethnic diversity of affected populations. This project will enhance patient and other community engagement, particularly of underrepresented minorities, to participate in clinical research related to the transition of acute to chronic pain.

3UG1DA050072-02S2
Transitions Clinic Network: Post Incarceration Addiction Treatment, Healthcare, and Social Support (TCN PATHS) study New Strategies to Prevent and Treat Opioid Addiction Sleep Dysfunction as a Core Feature of Opioid Use Disorder and Recovery NIDA YALE UNIVERSITY Wang, Emily Ai-hua New Haven, CT 2020
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): NHLBI and NIDA Announce Availability of Administrative Supplements for HEAL Awardees to Address Sleep Impairments in OUD Treatment Response and Recovery Outcomes
NOFO Number: NOT-HL-20-746
Summary:

All forms of sleep deficiency can affect OUD treatment engagement and retention among people with OUD, particularly among people recently released from jail. Sleep deficiency may lead to a wide range of physical and psychological perturbations that may increase the likelihood of illicit opioid use, and disengagement in OUD treatment. This study will examine the association between sleep deficiency and OUD treatment retention in a sample of people receiving medications for OUD who were recently released from jail, to reduce morbidity and mortality from OUD among justice-involved individuals. The underlying rationale for this study is that sleep deficiency must be addressed in a holistic manner to support OUD treatment engagement. The specific aims are to 1) determine the prevalence of sleep deficiency and describe the sleep environment of a sample of people on MOUD recently released from jail; 2) estimate the association between sleep deficiency and OUD treatment retention; and 3) examine sleep environment as a potential mediator of sleep deficiency and OUD treatment retention in people recently released from jail. If successful, this study will provide data for the future development and testing of patient-centered interventions focusing on sleep deficiency among OUD treatment participants that enhance their retention in treatment

1UG1DA050072-01
Transitions Clinic Network: Post Incarceration Addiction Treatment, Healthcare, and Social Support (TCN PATHS) study Translation of Research to Practice for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) NIDA YALE UNIVERSITY WANG, EMILY AI-HUA New Haven, CT 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) Clinical Research Centers (UG1 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-19-025
Summary:

Correctional settings have the potential to serve as key players in linking individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) to treatment and health services upon release. Many individuals with OUD are being treated with medications, but these efforts will be ineffective if they fail to connect people to OUD treatment upon release. The Transitions Clinic Network (TCN) program provides enhanced primary care and OUD treatment for people recently released from incarceration. In TCN, formerly incarcerated community health workers are embedded within primary care teams and address social determinants of OUD, provide social support, help patients build trust in the health system, and advocate in interactions with the criminal justice system. This study will assess the effectiveness of the TCN: Post Incarceration Addiction Treatment, Healthcare, and Social Support (TCN PATHS) intervention versus referral to standard primary care on opioid treatment cascade outcomes and whether housing, food access, criminal justice contact, and social support mediate this association.

1UG3NS135551-01
Translating an MR-guided focused ultrasound system for first-in-human precision neuromodulation of pain circuits Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Translating Discoveries into Effective Devices to Treat Pain NINDS VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER CASKEY, CHARLES F (contact); CHEN, LI MIN Nashville, TN 2023
NOFO Title: Blueprint MedTech Translator (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: PAR-21-315
1R01DA045695-01A1
Treating Chronic Pain in Buprenorphine Patients in Primary Care Settings Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose NIDA BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS Stein, Michael D; Weisberg, Risa B Boston, MA 2019
NOFO Title: Behavioral & Integrative Treatment Development Program (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: PA-18-055
Summary:

Often (around 40 percent of the time), individuals being treated for opioid use disorder (OUD) also have pain that interferes with daily life. This study builds on the prior development of a collaborative primary care approach, entitled TOPPS (Treating Opioid Patients’ Pain and Sadness), in which behavioral health specialists and primary care providers share a unified plan for addressing pain and depression in patients receiving buprenorphine. Building in preliminary work, researchers are conducting a randomized controlled trial of TOPPS compared to a health education contact-control condition among 250 persons with OUD recruited from two primary care-based buprenorphine programs, provided over 3 months and followed over 12 months. The study will examine whether this intervention changes how much pain interferes with daily functioning, the severity of pain, depression, and whether individuals stay in OUD treatment.

1U18EB029354-01
Treating pain in sickle cell disease by means of focused ultrasound neuromodulation Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Translating Discoveries into Effective Devices to Treat Pain NIBIB CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY HE, BIN Pittsburgh, PA 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Translational Development of Devices to Treat Pain (U18 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-EB-18-003
Summary:

Researchers will develop a novel transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) device for pain treatment and establish its effectiveness for treating sickle cell disease (SCD) pain in humanized mice. The tFUS will target the specific cortical regions involved in SCD pain using a novel non-invasive electrophysiological source imaging technique. The project’s goals have several aims. Aim 1: Develop tFUS devices for pain treatment. The mouse-scale system will be designed to validate the therapeutic effect of stimulating the anticipated cortical targets. This will inform development of the simpler human-scale system, which will use models of the skull to select cost-effective transducers to reach the targets. Aim 2: Evaluate tFUS effectiveness and optimize stimulation parameters in an SCD mice model. Researchers will determine effective tFUS parameters to chronically reduce SCD pain in mice and validate this using behavioral measures. Aim 3: Use electrophysiological source imaging to target and trigger closed-loop tFUS in animal models. This aim also includes performing safety studies to prepare for human trials. The project will develop a transformative, noninvasive tFUS device to effectively and safely treat pain in SCD. 

1R01DA057608-01
Treating Polysubstance Use in Methadone Maintenance: Application of Novel Digital Technology Translation of Research to Practice for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction Improving Delivery of Healthcare Services for Polysubstance Use NIDA FRIENDS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC. MITCHELL, SHANNON GWIN Baltimore, MD 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Understanding Polysubstance Use and Improving Service Delivery to Address Polysubstance Use (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: DA22-047
Summary:

Although methadone is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder, many individuals drop out of treatment, putting them at risk of relapse and overdose. One of the factors associated with poor retention in methadone treatment is concurrent cocaine use. There is currently no effective medical treatment for cocaine use disorder. However, contingency management, in which individuals receive tangible rewards for desired behaviors such as abstinence, has been shown to be effective for cocaine use. This project will test the value of a digital therapy app, DynamiCare Health Contingency Management, in methadone treatment programs to promote treatment for polysubstance use.

1R34DA046635-01A1
Treatment of chronic low back pain with transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose NIDA MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL Kong, Jian Boston, MA 2019
NOFO Title: Behavioral & Integrative Treatment Development Program (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: PA-18-073
Summary:

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons for all physician visits in the U.S. The financial costs associated with the care of LBP are staggering. The treatments for chronic low back pain (cLBP) are far from satisfactory, and opioids are often prescribed with varying degrees of success. This study builds on prior work suggesting that auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), a non-invasive therapeutic, can significantly reduce symptoms of chronic pain and common comorbidities of chronic pain, such as depression and anxiety. This proposal aims to investigate the treatment effect and underlying mechanism of tVNS on chronic low back pain. Patients with chronic low back pain will be randomized to either real or sham tVNS treatment for 1 month, with a 3-month follow-up. This study, if successful, could provide new treatment options for chronic low back pain and reduce the use of opioid analgesics in chronic pain management.

3R01DA051067-01S1
Treatment of Co-Occurring Opioid Use Disorder with Alcohol, Other Drug, and/or Mental Disorders: The Role of Innovative Models and Integrated Care New Strategies to Prevent and Treat Opioid Addiction Optimizing Care for People with Opioid Use Disorder and Mental Health Conditions NIDA BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY REIF, SHARON Waltham, MA; 2020
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest: HEAL Supplements to Improve the Treatment and Management of Common Co-occurring Conditions and Suicide Risk in People Affected by the Opioid Crisis
NOFO Number: NOT-MH-20-025
Summary:

People with opioid use disorders (OUD) have high rates of co-occurring alcohol, stimulant and other drug disorders, as well as mental disorders. Traditionally, treatment for OUD has been ?siloed? even though these high rates of co-occurring conditions emphasize the need for comprehensive treatment to address holistic needs. As the opioid crisis continues, attention to the whole person and access to comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment as well as primary care is needed. This study aims to better understand co-occurring mental health disorders, alcohol use disorders, and/or other substance use disorders among people with OUD, in the context of innovative integrated care networks for people with OUD. This study examines how innovative OUD treatment models work for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use by 1) assessing mental health treatment quality measures and outcomes; 2) testing how these innovative treatment models compare to other OUD treatment for people who have OUD and other substance use disorders; and 3) considering the ways people with OUD access co-occurring disorder care. The findings from this study will provide needed information to improve mental health, alcohol, and other substance use treatment for individuals with OUD, whether or not they are in OUD treatment and may provide information to help move the system from siloed efforts to truly integrated care

1R61HL156240-01
Treatment of Fentanyl Overdose-Induced Respiratory Failure by Low-Dose Dexmedetomidine Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose NHLBI PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV HERSHEY MED CTR HAOUZI, PHILIPPE A Hershey, PA 2020
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Pharmacotherapies to Reverse Opioid Overdose Induced Respiratory Depression without Central Opioid Withdrawal (Target Validation and Candidate Therapeutic Development (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-HL-20-031
3U01DA036221-05S4
TRIALS COORDINATING CENTER TO REDUCE SUBSTANCE USE, HIV RISK BEHAVIORS, & CRIME Translation of Research to Practice for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) NIDA CHESTNUT HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. Dennis, Michael L Bloomington, IL 2019
NOFO Title: Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System: TRIALS (U01)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-13-009
Summary:

Less than half of youth in the juvenile justice system who meet the criteria for substance use disorders (SUD) have ever received treatment, and less than one third of those received treatment while under community or correctional supervision. SUDs during adolescence can lead to significantly longer periods of substance use, more severe offending, and penetration in the justice system. The Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System (TRIALS) cooperative is intended to develop and test implementation strategies and associated measures to improve the continuum of substance abuse and HIV prevention and treatment services delivered to youth under juvenile justice supervision.

3U01DA036221-05S3
TRIALS COORDINATING CENTER TO REDUCE SUBSTANCE USE, HIV RISK BEHAVIORS, & CRIME Translation of Research to Practice for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction NIDA CHESTNUT HEALTH SYSTEMS, INC. DENNIS, MICHAEL L; SCOTT, CHRISTY K Bloomington, IL 2018
NOFO Title: Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System: TRIALS (U01)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-13-009
Summary:

Less than half of youth in the juvenile justice system who meet the criteria for substance use disorders (SUD) have ever received treatment, and less than one third of those received treatment while under community or correctional supervision. SUDs during adolescence can lead to significantly longer periods of substance use, more severe offending, and penetration in the justice system. The Translational Research on Interventions for Adolescents in the Legal System (TRIALS) cooperative is intended to develop and test implementation strategies and associated measures to improve the continuum of substance abuse and HIV prevention and treatment services delivered to youth under juvenile justice supervision.

1UG1HD107580-01
UAB Clinical Site HEAL Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Pharmacological Treatments Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids Advancing Clinical Trials in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (ACT NOW) NICHD UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM  (AL) AMBALAVANAN, NAMASIVAYAM   Birmingham, AL 2021
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome Pharmacological Treatments Comparative Effectiveness Trial - Clinical Sites (UG1 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-HD-21-031
Summary:

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) is a condition that occurs when newborns are exposed to opioids during pregnancy. Symptoms often include tremors, excessive crying, sleep deprivation, and swallowing difficulties. Cases are rising, with a newborn affected by NOWS approximately every 15 minutes. Currently, healthcare providers in the United States lack standard, evidence-based treatments for NOWS. 

This project is part of a multi-center, randomized controlled clinical trial that directly compares NOWS treatments—morphine, methadone, and buprenorphine—and takes into account other types of non-drug therapies, such as behavioral interventions. The goal is to generate results that can inform clinical practice guidelines and give newborns with NOWS the best start possible. 

The University of Alabama at Birmingham routinely treats newborns with NOWS and has been part of NICHD’s Neonatal Research Network (NRN) for more than 25 years. The center has an excellent track record of enrollment in clinical studies, with successful follow-up to 2 years of age and beyond.

3U19AR076737-01S1
UCSF Core Center for Patient-centric Mechanistic Phenotyping in Chronic Low Back Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Back Pain Consortium Research Program NIAMS UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO LOTZ, JEFFREY C. San Francisco, CA 2020
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest to Encourage Eligible NIH HEAL Initiative Awardees to Apply for Administrative Supplements to Promote Training in Clinical Research on Pain (Admin Supp ? Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NOT-NS-20-044
Summary:

Chronic low back pain is difficult to diagnose and treat effectively in part, because of the interplay of biophysical and psychosocial influences that complicate the relationship between impairment, disability, and pain. Psychological factors such as fear of movement and catastrophyzing can lead to compensatory movement patterns that affect movement biomechanics and paraspinal structure and function, driving further impairment, disrupting the balance between passive and active spine stabilizers, and reinforcing the patient?s perceived disability status. This study will support research to determine how psychological factors, spinal pathology, and perception of pain severity and disability status influence compensatory movement strategies, how movement biomechanics, psychological factors, and pain mechanisms relate to paraspinal muscle quality, and their relative changes during treatment. The supplement will provide training opportunities for skills in clinical pain management research.