Funded Projects

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Project # Project Title Research Focus Area Research Program Administering IC Institution(s) Investigator(s) Location(s) Year Awarded
1K24NS126781-01 Mentoring in discovery and validation of clinical chronic pain biomarkers Clinical Research in Pain Management NINDS STANFORD UNIVERSITY Mackey, Sean C Stanford, CA 2021
NOFO Title: Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: PA-20-193
Summary:

Enhancing the workforce of pain investigators and practitioners is a key goal of the NIH HEAL Initiative. This mentoring award will allow a selected investigator to train early career investigators in patient-oriented research focusing on the development of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for high-impact chronic pain. Mentoring activities will include training in designing and implementing pain research studies, preparing scientific papers and presentations, writing successful grant applications, the responsible conduct of research, and successful navigation of the academic process to achieve scientific independence. This training will allow mentees to advance their independent careers as pain researchers.
1K24NS126570-01 Mentorship in Precision Pain Medicine via the Early Phase Pain Investigation Clinical Network Clinical Research in Pain Management NINDS Brigham and Women's Hospital Edwards, Robert R Boston, MA 2021
NOFO Title: Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: PA-20-193
Summary:

Throughout clinical pain research, there is a need to increase the workforce of researchers familiar with individualized treatment strategies known as precision pain medicine. This mentoring award will leverage EPPIC-Net’s Clinical Coordinating Center resources to encourage interest in clinical pain management, in particular through multidisciplinary pain research projects. A selected clinician-researcher  will mentor early career investigators and provide them with hands-on training activities and other skill-building experiences in clinical pain research, with a focus on precision pain medicine, biomarker development, and pain assessment. Mentoring activities will include formal educational coursework, inclusion in EPPIC-Net working groups, and collaborative writing experiences.
1K24AT011995-01 Providing training in effective non-opioid options for the treatment of pain conditions Clinical Research in Pain Management NCCIH UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO Doorenbos, Ardith Z Chicago, IL 2021
NOFO Title: Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: PA-20-193
Summary:

Over-the-counter medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are ineffective for treating severe chronic pain and may have serious side effects from continued use, which limits treatment options. A kinase (an enzyme whose activity targets a specific molecule) called TAK1 is involved in the chronic pain process. This research will develop a molecule previously shown to be effective in a model of inflammatory pain that also inhibits TAK1. A main goal will be to determine if this inhibitor (takinib analog HS-276) can cross the blood-brain barrier and, if successful, pursue FDA  Investigative New Drug-enabling safety studies leading to a Phase I clinical trial and a potential new chronic pain treatment.
1K24AR081143-01 Mentorship of Junior Investigators on HEAL-SKOAP Clinical Research in Pain Management NIAMS JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY Campbell, Claudia Michelle Baltimore, MD 2021
NOFO Title: Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (Parent K24 Independent Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: PA-20-193
Summary:

The HEAL-funded Sequenced-strategy for Improving Outcomes in People with Knee Osteoarthritis Pain (SKOAP) clinical trial evaluates behavioral, pharmacologic, and procedural interventions for patients with knee osteoarthritis pain. It is designed to mimic clinical care for these patients by first testing the effectiveness of conservative and nonsurgical interventions before considering surgical interventions. It is a large-scale clinical trial with a novel design that evaluates multidisciplinary treatments. Therefore, it offers a unique training opportunity for junior investigators from various disciplines who are interested in pain research and management. This mentoring award will allow a selected investigator to train junior investigators by providing protected, mentorship-focused time.
1K23DA058785-01 Addressing the Readiness Gap: An eHealth Intervention to Increase Patient Motivation for Evidence-Based Chronic Pain Interventions and Reduced Opioid Reliance Cross-Cutting Research Training the Next Generation of Researchers in HEAL NIDA VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY CROUCH, TAYLOR BERENS Richmond, VA 2023
NOFO Title: Career Development Awards in Implementation Science for Substance Use Prevention and Treatment (K23 - Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: PAS-22-207
Summary:

Evidence-based behavioral treatments for pain are among the most effective and safe approaches, but they are underused, especially among patients taking opioids long-term. Despite known risks to long-term opioid therapy (including opioid use disorder and overdoses), patients may be reluctant to try something different to manage their pain. This project brings together two evidence-based behavior change interventions—motivational interviewing and contingency management—into an online format. The research will test whether web-based tools or mobile apps influence a patient’s willingness to consider using non-medication treatments for pain. The research will assess feasibility, acceptability to patients and providers, and broad-scale implementation.
1K23DA058751-01 Building and Implementing Best Practices for Buprenorphine Initiation in the Setting of Fentanyl Use Cross-Cutting Research Training the Next Generation of Researchers in HEAL NIDA UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BHATRAJU, ELENORE Seattle, WA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Career Development Awards in Implementation Science for Substance Use Prevention and Treatment (K23 - Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: PAS-22-207
Summary:

This project provides protected time for training and research activities that are required for an independent scientific career in delivering evidence-based treatments for people with opioid use disorder. The increasing presence of fentanyl in the drug supply creates challenges for the use of buprenorphine, because both patients and physicians want to avoid causing withdrawal. This research will interview both patients and physicians to understand their concerns and experiences and work with them to develop a buprenorphine induction toolkit to help balance the advantages of buprenorphine treatment against concerns about the potential presence of unknown fentanyl. 
1K12NS130673-01 University of Michigan (UM) HEAL Initiative National K12 Clinical Pain Career Development Program (UM-HCPDP) Cross-Cutting Research Training the Next Generation of Researchers in HEAL NINDS UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WILLIAMS, DAVID A (contact); CLAUW, DANIEL J; HARTE, STEVEN EDWARD Ann Arbor, MI 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: National K12 Clinical Pain Career Development Program (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-22-045
Summary:

The Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee has reported that early-stage investigators are leaving the clinical pain research workforce for other fields. In addition, pain clinician researchers at the senior/mentor level are also exiting the field. This project will create a national training center for early-career clinicians and scientists interested in pursuing and sustaining independent careers in clinical pain research. Research will focus on rigorous scientific methods and procedures in pain research as well as the importance of stakeholder engagement.
1K01DA059641-01 Adapting and Implementing a Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for Primary Care Patients with Opioid Use Disorder and Serious Mental Illness Cross-Cutting Research Training the Next Generation of Researchers in HEAL NIDA UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SIANTZ, ELIZABETH Salt Lake City, UT 2023
NOFO Title: Career Development Awards in Implementation Science for Substance Use Prevention and Treatment (K01 - Clinical Trial Required) 
NOFO Number: PAS-22-206
Summary:

Many people with opioid use disorder (OUD) also have a serious mental illness and other chronic conditions, which can be difficult for individuals and primary care providers to manage. A chronic disease self-management program is an established health care model in which peers help to educate patients about their condition(s) and build problem-solving skills to manage their health. Such programs have been effective in other populations and settings, but they have not been adapted for primary care patients who have OUD and SMI. This project will adapt and test a chronic disease self-management program for this population to understand its feasibility, acceptability, impact, and how best to put such programs into place widely in primary care settings.
1K01DA058750-01 Leveraging mHealth to Increase Health Equity Among Black Individuals with OUD and Commonly Occurring Mental Health Disorders Cross-Cutting Research Training the Next Generation of Researchers in HEAL NIDA WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SZLYK, HANNAH Saint Louis, MO 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Career Development Awards in Implementation Science for Substance Use Prevention and Treatment (K01 - Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: PAS-22-206
Summary:

This project provides protected time for training and research activities that are required for an independent scientific career in the development, testing, and implementation of cutting-edge digital therapies and tools (such as smartphone apps and other web-based resources) that can promote health equity in treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). The research will adapt and test digital overdose prevention and recovery support interventions for Black Americans with co-occurring OUD and mental illness. 
1K01DA044279-01A1 PREVENTING SUBSTANCE USE AMONG YOUTH: BEHAVIORAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ENHANCED IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITIES New Strategies to Prevent and Treat Opioid Addiction Preventing Opioid Use Disorder NIDA University of Michigan Ann Arbor EISMAN, ANDRIA B Ann Arbor, MI 2019
NOFO Title: Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (Parent K01)
NOFO Number: PA-16-190
Summary:

Quality implementation of evidence-based programs (EBPs) in community settings for youth is critical for reducing the burden of alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use and its consequences. EBPs delivered in schools are an efficient way to reach large populations of young people, including those underserved by other settings, and reduce and prevent ATOD use. Yet youth rarely receive EBPs as intended in community settings, including schools. This training and research plan will prepare the investigator to become an independent scholar in the implementation of theories and frameworks to better understand factors related to program delivery—approaches to enhancing ATOD programs for youth in community settings. More specifically, the training will allow him to expand the application of Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to inform approaches to enhancing effective EBP delivery. The proposed training and research plan extends current implementation research to focus applying implementation theories, frameworks and strategies in other community settings (schools) and on economic evaluation of implementation strategies. The results are expected to improve current efforts to deliver EBPs in diverse community settings and aid in applying evidence-based implementation strategies in the school context to ultimately reduce and prevent ATOD use among youth.
1DP2TR004354-01 Scale Up Single-Cell Technologies to Map Pain-Associated Genes and Cells Across the Lifespan Cross-Cutting Research Training the Next Generation of Researchers in HEAL NCATS Massachusetts General Hospital SHU, JIAN Boston, MA 2022
NOFO Title: Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative- New Innovator Award (DP2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-tr-22-013
Summary:

Current treatments for chronic pain, including opioids, are not effective for many individuals. Much remains unknown about genes, circuits, and cells that contribute to chronic pain, including how chronic pain changes across the lifespan in certain populations, including infants, children, older people, and pregnant women. This project will develop technology to map the genes, circuits, and cells associated with pain across ages, sexes, and during pregnancy. The technologies will guide the search for new biomarkers for chronic pain diagnosis and treatments.
1DP2NS130454-01 Using Mouse Pain Scales to Discover Unusual Pain Sensitivity and New Pain Targets Cross-Cutting Research Training the Next Generation of Researchers in HEAL NINDS COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE ABDUS-SABOOR, ISHMAIL JOHN New York, NY 2022
NOFO Title: Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative- New Innovator Award (DP2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-TR-22-013
Summary:

Acute and chronic pain vary widely across patients, due in large part to genetic differences between individuals. The same variation occurs in preclinical animal models with diverse genetic backgrounds. The development of automated mouse “pain scales” using high-speed videography, machine learning, and custom software allows pain to be assessed in a quantitative manner in nonverbal animals. This technology will be used to identify genetically different mice with high or low pain sensitivity, which will facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies to treat pain and reduce reliance on opioids.
1DP2HD112176-01 Identifying Plasma Proteomic Profiles of Chronic Pain Development in Endometriosis From Adolescence to Adulthood Cross-Cutting Research Training the Next Generation of Researchers in HEAL NICHD BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL SASAMOTO, NAOKO Boston, MA 2023
NOFO Title: Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative- New Innovator Award (DP2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-TR-22-013
Summary:

Endometriosis is a gynecologic disorder characterized by severe pelvic pain, affecting 10% of reproductive aged women and adolescents worldwide. These individuals are at an increased risk for chronic opioid use, dependence, and overdose. Adolescents and young adults in particular are understudied in endometriosis research. This project will conduct a longitudinal study of adolescent endometriosis. The research will identify novel biomarkers and biological pathways involved in the transition of acute to chronic pain. The research aims to improve non-surgical endometriosis diagnosis, risk, and treatment. 
OUD Phenotyping Feasibility for Clinical Trials Translation of Research to Practice for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction Enhancing the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network to Address Opioids NIDA Emmes Corporation VanVeldhuisen, Paul Rockville, MD 2019
NOFO Number:
Summary:

Very little research has been conducted on better understanding of phenotypic characterization of individuals with OUD (beyond DSM-5 diagnoses) and how these features predict illness severity, treatment retention or outcomes. The primary objective of the deep phenotyping study is to provide a comprehensive phenotypic characterization (e.g., domains of negative affect, reward salience, cognitive control, mental health) of a heterogeneous sample of individuals (n = 1,000) who currently meet one or more DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for OUD and are in treatment for OUD. In a subset of this sample (n = 100), the investigators conduct digital phenotyping to examine the utility of ecological momentary assessment (EMA), digital sensing and social media to predict retention, medication adherence and opioid use outcomes in patients receiving buprenorphine for OUD. It is anticipated that this foundational study will inform the feasibility and utility of such assessments that can be successfully embedded into imminent and future CTN and other OUD clinical trials.
Development of Vaccines for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Development of Novel Immunotherapeutics for Opioid Addiction NIAID Boston Children's Hospital Ofer Levy Boston, MA 2020
NOFO Title: Development of Vaccines for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
NOFO Number: BAA-DAIT-75N93019R00009
Summary:

High rates of relapse and overdose deaths pose significant challenges to the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Anti-opioid immunotherapies (i.e., vaccines and monoclonal antibodies) have great potential to reduce long-term opioid use and overdose, with minimal risk of side effects, when used in conjunction with pharmacological treatments and/or behavioral therapies. The ability of an anti-opioid vaccine to induce antibodies that render an opioid less effective, or less rewarding, and protect from accidental overdose could provide an important therapeutic option for patients undergoing treatment for OUD. The goal of this collaborative study is to design, develop, and evaluate vaccines for use in the treatment of opioid use disorder
Adjuvanted Opioid Vaccine for Treating Fentanyl Use Disorder to Reduce Poisoning and Fatal Overdose Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Development of Novel Immunotherapeutics for Opioid Addiction NIAID University of Montana Jay Evans Missoula, Montana 2020
NOFO Title: Development of Vaccines for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
NOFO Number: BAA-DAIT-75N93019R00009
Summary:

High rates of relapse and overdose deaths pose significant challenges to the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Anti-opioid immunotherapies (i.e., vaccines and monoclonal antibodies) have great potential to reduce long-term opioid use and overdose, with minimal risk of side effects, when used in conjunction with pharmacological treatments and/or behavioral therapies. The ability of an anti-opioid vaccine to induce antibodies that render an opioid less effective, or less rewarding, and protect from accidental overdose could provide an important therapeutic option for patients undergoing treatment for OUD. The goal of this collaborative study is to design, develop, and evaluate vaccines for use in the treatment of opioid use disorder