Funded Projects

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Project # Project Title Research Focus Area Research Program Administering IC Institution(s) Investigator(s) Location(s) Year Awarded
1R61AT012279-01
Quantifying and Treating Myofascial Dysfunction in Post Stroke Shoulder Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Biomarkers, Endpoints, and Signatures for Pain Conditions NCCIH JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY RAGHAVAN, PREETI Baltimore, MD 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:

Shoulder pain occurs in many patients who are recovering from a stroke. In addition to impairments in the ability to move, persistent shoulder pain contributes to depression, and often reduces quality of life. Although the cause of post-stroke shoulder pain is complex and not completely understood, it is thought to arise in part to damage of muscles and surrounding connective tissues (myofascial tissues) in the shoulder. This project will use advanced medical imaging techniques to create biomarkers of that can reliably identify myofascial tissues. The research will then test the ability of these biomarkers to monitor, and ultimately predict treatment responses in patients with post-stroke shoulder pain in the context of a randomized controlled clinical trial.
3RM1DA055311-01S1
Community-Partnered Exploration of the Pain-Related Treatment Needs of First-Generation Immigrants Cross-Cutting Research Increasing Participant Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement in HEAL Research NIDA UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH HAMM, MEGAN; KRAEMER, KEVIN L Pittsburgh, PA 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:

Prior research has shown that chronic pain is common among immigrants and refugees. Cultural preferences for pain management, combined with barriers to healthcare in the United States, result in a lack of effective and accessible pain treatment in these populations. Pain experiences and treatment preferences of non-English-speaking immigrant and refugee communities are poorly understood because of a lack of research conducted in non-English-speaking immigrants’ native languages. This research will develop effective, equitable, and sustainable interventions for individuals with both chronic pain and opioid use disorder: in particular, individuals within Hispanic/Latino and Bhutanese communities.
1R21NS130409-01
Novel Genetically Encoded Inhibitors to Probe Functional Logic of Cav-Beta Molecular Diversity Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NINDS COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES COLECRAFT, HENRY M New York, NY 2022
NOFO Title: Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative-Early-Stage Discovery of New Pain and Opioid Use Disorder Targets Within the Understudied Druggable Proteome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: TR22-011
Summary:

High-voltage-gated calcium channels convert electrical signals into physiological responses. After a nerve injury, levels of these channels go down in some neurons in the dorsal root ganglia that communicates pain signals to and from the brain. This decline results in reduced flow of calcium that may underlie pain. This project will develop novel approaches to block these calcium channels p to further study their roles in controlling pain.
1R21TR004333-01
Discovery of Novel Openers of the Understudied Human Drug Target Kir6.1 Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NCATS NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE CARDOZO, TIMOTHY J New York, NY 2022
NOFO Title: Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative-Early-Stage Discovery of New Pain and Opioid Use Disorder Targets Within the Understudied Druggable Proteome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: TR22-011
Summary:

Routine treatment of pain with prescription opioid medications may evolve into opioid use disorder, addiction, and potentially overdose. New, non-opioid molecular targets for pain are needed as a key element of responding to the opioid and overdose crisis. Ion channels are molecular gateways that convert electrical signals into physiological responses, and many have been implicated in transmitting pain signals. The ion channel Kir6.1/KCNJ8 has been linked to the control of postoperative and cancer pain. Studies in animal models show that low levels of this ion channel are evident after an injury. This research will identify compounds that can open the Kir6.1/KCNJ8 channel as potential treatment strategy for pain.
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.
1R21NS130417-01
The Role of Lysosomal Mechano-Sensitive Ion Channel in Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NINDS INDIANA UNIVERSITY PURDUE AT INDIANAPOLIS TAN, ZHIYONG Indianapolis, IN 2022
NOFO Title: Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative-Early-Stage Discovery of New Pain and Opioid Use Disorder Targets Within the Understudied Druggable Proteome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: TR22-011
Summary:

Chronic pain severely reduces the quality of life and ability to work for millions of Americans. Because misuse of opioids for chronic pain treatment contributes to opioid addiction and opioid overdose, there is an urgent need to study novel non-opioid mechanisms, targets, and treatment strategies for chronic pain. Many ion channels control the flow of electrical signals in peripheral sensory neurons and are thus key targets for understanding and treating chronic pain. This project will conduct detailed studies to identify major ion channel-related molecular activities, targets, and treatment strategies for chronic pain. In particular, this research will explore the role of a specific ion channel (lysosomal mechanosensitive ion channel, orTmem63A) in neuropathic pain resulting from nerve injury.
1R21AT012304-01
Erythrocyte Autophagy Proteins as Potential Non-Opioid Novel Targets for Pain in Sickle Cell Disease Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NCCIH UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, CHICAGO RAMASAMY, JAGADEESH Chicago, IL 2022
NOFO Title: Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative-Early-Stage Discovery of New Pain and Opioid Use Disorder Targets Within the Understudied Druggable Proteome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: TR22-011
Summary:

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder affecting about 100,000 Americans and over 20 million people worldwide. It is caused by a mutation in the gene for beta-globin that results in the characteristic sickled shape of red blood cells, life-long severe pain, and shortened lifespan. Painful episodes that require hospitalization and, in many cases, opioid treatment, are a hallmark of sickle cell disease. The source of these painful episodes remains unclear, and it is also unknown why pain severity varies so much among affected individuals. This project will identify novel, non-opioid targets to reduce sickle cell-related pain and search for biomarkers to help clinicians predict which individuals are at risk for increased pain, thereby improving health outcomes for people with sickle cell disease.
1R21DA057500-01
G Alpha Z Subunit as a Potential Therapeutic Target to Modulate Mu Opioid Receptor Pharmacology Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NIDA UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER BIDLACK, JEAN M Rochester, NY 2022
NOFO Title: Emergency Awards: HEAL Initiative-Early-Stage Discovery of New Pain and Opioid Use Disorder Targets Within the Understudied Druggable Proteome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: TR22-011
Summary:

Opioids affect the body by attaching to certain types of receptors that attach to G-proteins (particularly, a subtype called G-alpha). Opioids vary in their ability to provide pain relief as well as in their ability to require more drug to provide a response, known as tolerance. This project will explore the potential of various G-alpha subunits to increase or decrease opioid receptor signaling. The research findings will lay the groundwork for tailoring G-alpha related opioid effects to provide more pain relief while being less addictive.
1UG3NS127258-01A1
A First-in-Class, Mechanism-Guided, Cell-Based Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Development and Optimization of Non-Addictive Therapies to Treat Pain NINDS CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU CHENG, JIANGUO Cleveland, OH 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-21-010
Summary:

Complex regional pain syndrome is one of the most disabling and difficult-to-treat chronic pain conditions. This project seeks to develop a novel, biological treatment for the condition using injected human bone marrow cells. that can form and repair skeletal tissues and control nervous and immune system activity. The research will determine the dose and source of clinical-grade bone marrow cells needed, toward the goal of submitting an Investigational New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that will enable further clinical study.
1U19NS130617-01
Harvard PRECISION Human Pain Center Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NINDS BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL RENTHAL, WILLIAM RUSSELL (contact); WOOLF, CLIFFORD J Boston, MA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Functional Evaluation of Human Pain-associated Genes and Cells (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NS22-018
Summary:

This project will use state-of-the-art technologies to analyze individual cells to characterize how human pain receptors communicate pain between the human dorsal root ganglia and the brain – including how the signals vary across diverse populations. This research will generate useful, high-quality human data about pain for further analysis and re-use by other scientific teams, toward identifying and prioritizing novel therapeutic targets for pain.
1UC2AR082197-01
Neural Architecture of the Murine and Human Temporomandibular Joint Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain (RE-JOIN) NIAMS DUKE UNIVERSITY DONNELLY, CHRISTOPHER RYAN; CAI, DAWEN; EMRICK, JOSHUA JAMES Durham, NC 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain Consortium (RE-JOIN) (UC2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-AR-22-009
Summary:

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are the most common form of chronic pain in the face and mouth area (orofacial pain), but relatively little is known about the biological causes of these conditions. This project will define the properties of sensory neurons that connect to tissues that make up the TMJ which connects the lower jaw and skull. This research aims to lay groundwork for development of new therapeutic approaches to treat these painful conditions.
1R01DK134989-01
Signal Integration by Specialized Mesenchyme in Urothelial Homeostasis and Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NIDDK STANFORD UNIVERSITY BEACHY, PHILIP A Redwood City, CA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Pain Treatment (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NS22-034
Summary:

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is a debilitating disease affecting many women. Opioid-based pain management is a common feature of current treatment approaches but is associated with the risk of addiction. The causes of this disorder remain unknown, and no effective treatments are available. This project will provide new insights using genetic, medication-based and other approaches in a mouse model, along with single-cell gene expression studies conducted with cells from mice and human patients who have this condition. The analyses will help provide targeted, safe, and effective treatment approaches for individuals with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.
3R01DE029202-01S2
Validation of Blocking TSP4/Cava2d1 Interaction as a New Target for Neuropathic Pain Cross-Cutting Research Leveraging Existing and Real-Time Opioid and Pain Management Data NIDCR UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE LUO, ZHIGANG DAVID Irvine, CA 2022
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Availability of Administrative Supplements for Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative awardees to make data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) through the HEAL Data Ecosystem
NOFO Number: NOT-OD-22-033
Summary:

This research provides support to strengthen data management, data sharing, and data readiness efforts within the HEAL Initiative. This support further fosters collaboration among HEAL awardees and enables maximal data discoverability, interoperability, and reuse by aligning with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles. It also provides an opportunity for existing HEAL Initiative award recipients to increase data “FAIR”-ness, participate in coordinated HEAL Initiative activities to build community around data sharing, and foster sustainability of HEAL Initiative digital assets.
1U19NS130607-01
INTERCEPT: Integrated Research Center for Human Pain Tissues Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NINDS WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY GEREAU, ROBERT W Saint Louis, MO 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Functional Evaluation of Human Pain-associated Genes and Cells (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NS22-018
Summary:

This project will use a variety of state-of-the-art technologies to generate a comprehensive  gene expression map of human peripheral nerves. The research will enhance understanding about genes involved in various painful conditions associated with nerve damage (neuropathies) resulting from injury or disease. This research will analyze DNA sequences of individual neuronal and non-neuronal cells in human nerve cells (from individuals with and without pain located outside the spinal cord that are involved in pain signal transmission. The findings, together with other imaging and computational approaches, will be used to generate a spatial atlas of the human dorsal root ganglia – a key hub for pain communication between the brain and spinal cord.
1UC2AR082195-01
Comprehensive Functional Phenotyping of Trigeminal Neurons Innervating Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Tissues in Male, Female and Aged Mice, Primates, and Humans With and Without TMJ Disorders (TMJD) Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain (RE-JOIN) NIAMS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER AKOPIAN, ARMEN N; BOADA, MARIO DANILO; ERNBERG, MALIN; MACPHERSON, LINDSEY J San Antonio, TX 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain Consortium (RE-JOIN) (UC2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-AR-22-009
Summary:

Scientists do not know the details of how the nervous system interacts with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that connects the lower jaw with the skull. This project aims to comprehensively explain the functions, types, neuroanatomical distributions, and adaptability (plasticity) of specific nerve cells in the brain (trigeminal neurons) that connect with the TMJ. The research will analyze nerve-TMJ connections associated with chewing muscles and other structures that form the TMJ such as cartilage and ligaments. The project will analyze samples from both sexes of aged mice, primates, and humans with and without painful TMJ disorders. This research aims to uncover potential treatment and prevention targets for managing TMJ pain.
1RF1NS130481-01
Immune Modulating Therapies to Treat Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NINDS DREXEL UNIVERSITY AJIT, SEENA Philadelphia, PA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Pain Treatment (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NS22-034
Summary:

Complex regional pain syndrome is a difficult-to-treat chronic condition that causes excess and prolonged pain and inflammation after injury to an arm or leg and includes damage to skin of affected limbs. Although it is known that aberrant immune system function plays a role in this condition, the details remain unclear about how this occurs – in particular, through the adaptive immune system that relies on specialized immune cells and antibodies to protect the body from harm.  This project will study the role of certain immune cells (T cells) that circulate throughout the body or reside in bone using both rat or human bone samples from patients with complex regional pain syndrome.
1UC2AR082200-01
Neuronal Anatomy, Connectivity, and Phenotypic Innervation of the Knee Joint Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain (RE-JOIN) NIAMS BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE LEE, BRENDAN (contact); ARENKIEL, BENJAMIN R; RAY, RUSSELL S; WYTHE, JOSHUA D Houston, TX 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain Consortium (RE-JOIN) (UC2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-AR-22-009
Summary:

Pain caused by degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) is a major public health challenge that significantly affects quality of life for millions of Americans. There are no therapies available that offer pain relief and reverse the course of OA.  This project will use state-of-the-art technologies to create a neuronal connectivity and molecular map of the mouse knee joint, which will help identify molecular signatures that can be targeted for therapy. The research will include animals of different ages and of both sexes and test joint effects after exercise, in animals with OA, and after gene therapy that delivers an experimental OA medication directly to the joint.
1R01HD110922-01
CMG2 as a Target for Safe and Effective Treatment of Endometriosis-Associated Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NICHD BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ROGERS, MICHAEL SEAN Boston, MA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Pain Treatment (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NS22-034
Summary:

Endometriosis is an often-painful disorder in which uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. Treatment of endometriosis-associated pain involves use of opioids in many women. This project aims to study a culprit gene thought to be involved with the disorder (capillary morphogenesis gene or CMG2) as a target for new, nonopioid pain medications. The research will also clarify how CMG2 s affects endometriosis-associated pain to test the effects of new medications for endometriosis pain.
1UG3NS127251-01A1
Development of Pathology-Activated Drugs for Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Development and Optimization of Non-Addictive Therapies to Treat Pain NINDS UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR GRACE, PETER M (contact); ABELL, ANDREW Houston, TX 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-21-010
Summary:

The medication monomethyl fumarate, approved for treating multiple sclerosis, has pain-relieving properties, but it also has side effects that affect the digestive tract and decrease levels of white blood cells, a problem known as leukopenia. This project will limit the availability of monomethyl fumarate to areas in the central nervous system associated with pain. Targeting the delivery of this drug to pain-related regions may improve its safety profile for treating neuropathic pain.
1U19NS130608-01
Human Nociceptor and Spinal Cord Molecular Signature Center Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NINDS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS DALLAS PRICE, THEODORE J (contact); CURATOLO, MICHELE ; DOUGHERTY, PATRICK M Richardson, TX 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Functional Evaluation of Human Pain-associated Genes and Cells (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NS22-018
Summary:

This project will identify molecular characteristics of human sensory neurons and non-neuronal cells from the human dorsal root ganglia. This structure located outside the spinal cord is integrally involved in communicating pain signals to and from the brain. The research will use molecular approaches to characterize tissues obtained from organ donors and in patients who experience chronic pain. The findings will also help generate a connectivity map, or “connectome,” of nerve cell connections between the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord and the brain.
1UC2AR082196-01
Innervation of the Knee and TMJ  Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain (RE-JOIN) NIAMS UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ALLEN, KYLE D (contact); ALMARZA, ALEJANDRO JOSE; CAUDLE, ROBERT M Gainesville, FL 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain Consortium (RE-JOIN) (UC2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-AR-22-009
Summary:

A complex network of different nerve cell subtypes connects to joints in different ways throughout body regions, such as the knee and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that connects the lower jaw and skull. This project aims to identify disease-specific pain symptoms using clinically relevant rat models of TMJ and knee osteoarthritis – and compare findings with disease-specific pain symptoms in human patients with the same conditions. This research may lead to a better understanding of how different nerve cell subtypes contribute to joint pain as well as how these nerve cell subtypes change with age and disease.
1R01DE032501-01
Targeting HB-EGF and Trigeminal EGFR for Oral Cancer Pain and Opioid Tolerance Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NIDCR NEW YORK UNIVERSITY YE, YI New York, NY 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Pain Treatment (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NS22-034
Summary:

Oral cancers are painful and often require use of opioid medications to manage pain. However, the effectiveness of opioids often wanes quickly, and many patients require higher doses because they develop tolerance to these medications. This project will study the potential value of blocking epidermal growth-factor receptors interacting with peripheral nerves to treat oral cancer pain. The findings will advance understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying oral cancer pain and provide a rationale for repurposing epidermal growth-factor receptor blockers, which is already approved for head and neck cancer treatment for treating oral cancer and associated pain.
3UH3DA047925-03S1
Development of a 3-Month Implantable Depot Pellet of Naltrexone for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Cross-Cutting Research Leveraging Existing and Real-Time Opioid and Pain Management Data NIDA BIOCORRX, INC. MALLON, ANDREW PETER Anaheim, CA 2022
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Availability of Administrative Supplements for Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative awardees to make data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) through the HEAL Data Ecosystem
NOFO Number: NOT-OD-22-033
Summary:

This research provides support to strengthen data management, data sharing, and data readiness efforts within the HEAL Initiative. This support further fosters collaboration among HEAL awardees and enables maximal data discoverability, interoperability, and reuse by aligning with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles. It also provides an opportunity for existing HEAL Initiative award recipients to increase data “FAIR”-ness, participate in coordinated HEAL Initiative activities to build community around data sharing, and foster sustainability of HEAL Initiative digital assets.
1UC2AR082186-01
Mapping the Joint-Nerve Interactome of the Knee Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain (RE-JOIN) NIAMS RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER MALFAIT, ANNE-MARIE; LOTZ, MARTIN K; MILLER, RICHARD J Chicago, IL 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain Consortium (RE-JOIN) (UC2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-AR-22-009
Summary:

This project will use a variety of technologies to create a comprehensive, 3D map of how sensory neurons activate knee joints in both mice and humans. The research will use imaging techniques and molecular approaches that measure gene expression. The findings will help create a comprehensive gene expression profile map of individual cells in the nerve fibers leading to the knee, as well as describe how nerve cells and joint cells interact at the most fundamental level. This research will generate a rich anatomical and molecular resource to understand the molecular basis of joint pain and guide the development of novel pain-relieving strategies.
1R01DK135076-01
PNPase Inhibition as an Effective Treatment for Chronic Bladder Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NIDDK UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH BIRDER, LORI A (contact); JACKSON, EDWIN KERRY Pittsburgh, PA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Pain Treatment (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: NS22-034
Summary:

Chronic visceral pain disorders, such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, are among the most difficult types of pain to treat. This project will conduct a detailed analysis of an enzyme thought to be involved with the disorder (purine nucleoside phosphorylase, or PNPase) as a target for new nonopioid pain medications to treat interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. The research will lay the groundwork for developing targeted treatments for visceral pain disorders.