Funded Projects

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Project # Project Title Research Focus Area Research Program Administering IC Institution(s) Investigator(s) Location(s) Year Awarded
1UG3NS123958-01
Development of a CCKBR-targeting scFv as Therapy for Chronic Pain Patients Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Development and Optimization of Non-Addictive Therapies to Treat Pain NINDS UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR WESTLUND-HIGH, KARIN N (contact); ALLES, SASCHA R Albuquerque, NM 2021
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:

Cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR) is a molecule found in the brain that helps regulate anxiety and depression but also influences the development of tolerance to opioids. CCKBR levels are also increased in models of nerve injury-induced (neuropathic) pain. Therefore, targeting CCKBR may offer a new approach to treating neuropathic pain and the associated anxiety and depression. Researchers have developed mouse antibodies that can inactivate CCKBR. However, to be usable in humans without causing an immune response, these antibodies need to be modified to include more human sequences. This project will use a fragment of the CCKBR antibody, modify it with the addition of human antibody sequences, and then select the clones that bind most strongly and specifically to human CCKBR. These will then be tested in cell and animal models of neuropathic pain to identify the most promising candidates for further evaluation in humans.
1UG3DA051241-01
Integrated Treatment for Veterans with Co-Occurring Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder Clinical Research in Pain Management Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN) NIDA University of New Mexico WITKIEWITZ, KATIE A (contact); VOWLES, KEVIN E Albuquerque, NM 2019
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network: Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-19-021
Summary:

Chronic pain is common, costly, and debilitating. Opioid prescription in the treatment of chronic pain is frequent and carries a consequent risk of poor treatment outcome, as well as higher morbidity and mortality in a clinically significant number of patients, particularly those who meet criteria for opioid dependence. Despite the alarming increases in prescription opiate misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD) nationally in the United States, there are few treatment options available that target both pain-related interference and OUD among patients with chronic pain. In military veterans, this issue is of particular importance as numerous reports indicate frequent use of opioids in the treatment of chronic pain, as well as increasing opioid-related problems. To date, there are no evidence-based treatment options that aim to both reduce pain interference while simultaneously addressing problematic opioid use. The overall aim of this study will be to determine the efficacy of an integrated psychosocial treatment in veterans with chronic pain who are taking buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD. To achieve this aim, they will utilize a randomized design to assess the efficacy of two empirically supported interventions: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain and Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for substance use and misuse.
3UG1DA049468-03S3
Exploring Health Beliefs for Community Engagement and Diversity in 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 UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR PAGE, KIMBERLY Albuquerque, NM 2021
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-21-025
Summary:

Including all population subgroups in clinical research is important to ensure that research results apply to the entire population and can be implemented effectively. However, many communities are underrepresented in health research due to individual, cultural, or structural reasons. This project aims to develop a Health Beliefs Toolkit that will be a readily accessible resource for researchers, providers, and community groups to help them engage diverse and minority populations in clinical research, particularly regarding substance use disorders. The project will examine, adapt, and test existing materials and resources targeting individual and structural barriers to research engagement. The toolkit will also assess individuals’ knowledge of health as well as health-related personal values and beliefs to enhance health and research “literacy.” The toolkit will be targeted to primary care providers, community health workers, peer counselors, agency representatives, and patient and non-patient groups to enhance practice-based research in underserved communities.
1U01DA047713-01
PTPRD ligands for stimulant and opiate use disorders Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose NIDA BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF NEW MEX Uhl, George Richard Albuquerque, NM 2019
NOFO Title: Grand Opportunity in Medications Development for Substance-Use Disorders (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: PAR-18-219
Summary:

There are no FDA-approved medications for stimulant use disorders, and therapies for opioid use disorders remain suboptimal in ways that are now a focus of national attention. Thus, there is a clear need to identify new targets and explore new approaches for addiction medication development. Several lines of evidence suggest that PTPRD (receptor type protein tyrosine phosphatase D) may be a promising target for development of pharmacotherapeutics to treat not only stimulant use disorders but opioid use disorders as well. This research will focus on improving existing PTPRD ligands, identifying their effects on the dopamine and opioid systems, and moving the best novel, patentable PTPRD ligands toward human studies. If successful, this project will generate novel, well-tolerated, and bioavailable PTPRD ligands that display in vitro potency, selectivity and stability, and in vivo modulation of both cocaine and opioid-mediated reward at doses that present no significant toxicity.
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.