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 Research Focus Area Research Program Administering IC Institution(s) Investigator(s) Location(s) Year Awarded
1R44CA271904-01A1
Novel Biologic to Treat Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NCI RAFT PHARMACEUTICALS, LLC KOGAN, YAKOV San Diego, CA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Development of Therapies and Technologies Directed at Enhanced Pain Management (R43/R44 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-20-011
Summary:

Some chemotherapy treatments damage nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This condition, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, involves tingling, burning, weakness, or numbness in hands and/or feet and affects nearly 70% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Common pain medications, including opioids, can relieve pain for short intervals but are not suitable for long-term therapy. This project will conduct studies to investigate the safety and tolerability of a novel strategy to treat neuropathic pain: modifying the activity of the dorsal root ganglia, which are nerve cells in the spinal cord that communicate pain signals to and from the brain.

1R41AR080620-01A1
Injectable Ice Slurry Cooling Technology for Treatment of Postoperative Pain Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NIAMS BRIXTON BIOSCIENCES, INC. SIDOTI, CHARLES Cambridge, MA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Development of Therapies and Technologies Directed at Enhanced Pain Management (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-20-009
Summary:

More than 700,000 total knee replacement surgeries are performed each year in the United States to relieve joint pain in patients with end-stage osteoarthritis or rheumatic arthritis. However, many patients still experience significant pain after this procedure, calling for additional long-lasting, drug-free pain management strategies. This project will develop and test a commercial prototype device for persistent knee pain after total knee replacement. The injection-based method freezes peripheral nerves to reduce pain sensation.

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.

1R44NS125745-01A1
Development and Evaluation of Computerized Chemosensory-Based Orbitofrontal Networks Training for Treatment of Pain (CBOT-P) Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NINDS EVON MEDICS, LLC NWAOKOBIA, CHARLES CHIEDU (contact); NWULIA, EVARISTUS A Elkridge, MD 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL INITIATIVE: Development of Therapies and Technologies Directed at Enhanced Pain Management (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-20-010
Summary:

Research shows that individuals with chronic pain may experience brain changes that contribute to anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment. This project will test a user-friendly, home-based device to treat chronic pain. The device stimulates the brain through olfactory training: repetitive daily stimulation with specific smells. The research will optimize a treatment approach and test the device in a clinical study.

1R43CA268700-01A1
Pre-clinical Validation of Phase II Peptide LRP-1 Agonist to Treat and Prevent Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NCI SERPIN PHARMA, LLC GELBER, COHAVA (contact); CAMPANA, WENDY M Manassas, VA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Development of Therapies and Technologies Directed at Enhanced Pain Management (R43/R44 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-20-011
Summary:

Some chemotherapy treatments damage nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This condition, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, involves tingling, burning, weakness, or numbness in hands and/or feet and affects nearly 70% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Common pain medications, including opioids, can relieve pain for short intervals but are not suitable for long-term therapy. This project will develop and test a new type of treatment (reduced size cyclic analogs) for this condition. The research will evaluate the ability of this therapy to reduce inflammation and pain, as well as to repair nerve damage.

1R61AT012421-01
Integrative Training Program for Pediatric Sickle Cell Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Advancing Health Equity in Pain Management NCCIH EMORY UNIVERSITY SIL, SOUMITRI Atlanta, GA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Advancing Health Equity in Pain and Comorbidities (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-22-037
Summary:

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder affecting about 100,000 Americans and more than 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. Optimal treatment of  chronic pain from the condition targets psychological factors contributing to pain, such as pain-related anxiety, fear of movement, and depression. This project will interact with patients and their families to revise and test an existing mind–body and behavioral health treatment tool to target the unique needs and preferences of people managing chronic sickle cell disease pain.

1R61NR020845-01
Equity Using Interventions for Pain and Depression (EQUIPD) Clinical Research in Pain Management Advancing Health Equity in Pain Management NINR INDIANA UNIV-PURDUE UNIV AT INDIANAPOLIS MATTHIAS, MARIANNE Indianapolis, IN 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Advancing Health Equity in Pain and Comorbidities (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-22-037
Summary:

Opioid overdose deaths disproportionately affect Black individuals in the United States. While the use of complementary and integrative pain treatments is effective and widely recommended, Black pain patients (especially those who also have depression) face barriers to the use of these approaches. This project will refine, test, and prepare to implement a novel approach to overcoming these treatment barriers. The research will partner with and empower Black patients to find safe, effective pain treatments that best match their values, preferences, and lifestyles.

1R61CA280978-01
Culturally Adapted Mobile Treatment of Chronic Pain in Adolescent Survivors of Pediatric Bone Sarcoma Clinical Research in Pain Management Advancing Health Equity in Pain Management NCI ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL BRINKMAN, TARA M Memphis, TN 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Advancing Health Equity in Pain and Comorbidities (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-22-037
Summary:

More than half of children and adolescents diagnosed with a type of cancer called bone sarcoma experience pain that interferes with daily life. This project will adapt an evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy mobile app for use with Black and Hispanic adolescents who disproportionately experience pain from this cancer, putting them at risk for opioid misuse. Once fully adapted, this therapy will be paired with a remotely delivered brain stimulation treatment (transcranial direct current stimulation). This research will also examine the impact of patient-reported conditions such as depression, anxiety, and sleep problems, as well as of various social determinants of health, on pain.

1R61AT012309-01
Partners for Pain & Wellbeing Equity: A Randomized Trial of Community Supported Complementary and Integrative Health Self-Management for Back Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Advancing Health Equity in Pain Management NCCIH UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EVANS, RONI L; LENINGER, BRENT Minneapolis, MN 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Advancing Health Equity in Pain and Comorbidities (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-22-002
Summary:

Back pain, including low back and neck pain, is one of the most prevalent and disabling pain disorders. Treatment requires ongoing self-management, but most healthcare systems do not support self-care and instead focus on costly, provider-dependent therapies that remain inaccessible to many Black and Hispanic Americans and individuals with less education and income. This project will address these health disparities by developing a personalized self-management treatment program that includes pain education, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and exercise – and make it available in community settings.

1R61CA280979-01
Cancer Pain Management: A Technology-Based Intervention for Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors Clinical Research in Pain Management Advancing Health Equity in Pain Management NCI EMORY UNIVERSITY IM, EUN-OK (contact); CHEE, WONSHIK Atlanta, GA 2022
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Advancing Health Equity in Pain and Comorbidities (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-22-037
Summary:

Asian American women who have survived breast cancer and who also have depression are less likely to receive adequate pain treatment due to cultural stigma attached to breast cancer, cultural attitudes about living with pain and symptoms, and language barriers. This project will use a personalizable, technology-based approach to treat cancer pain and depression in Japanese American, Chinese American, and Korean American women who have survived breast cancer. The intervention will accommodate flexibility, accessibility, and anonymity: three factors that have historically hindered effective pain management for this population of breast cancer survivors.

1R61AT012282-01
Development and Validation of a Multimodal Ultrasound-Based Biomarker for Myofascial Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Biomarkers, Endpoints, and Signatures for Pain Conditions NCCIH UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH WASAN, AJAY D (contact); KIM, KANG ; PU, JIANTAO Pittsburgh, PA 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:

Pain in the muscles and surrounding connective tissues (myofascial pain) can affect many regions of the body and is a key component of chronic low back pain. Patients with chronic low back pain have a range of musculoskeletal problems perpetuating their pain. There is a significant clinical need to identify the components of myofascial pain in people with chronic low back pain. Advances in ultrasound technology have allowed researchers to identify several differences in muscle and connective tissues related to myofascial pain. This project will develop and validate an ultrasound-based biomarker signature for myofascial pain in the low back. This research will also refine the biomarker signature using advanced machine learning approaches, toward future testing in in a randomized controlled clinical trial.

1R61AT012286-01
Multimodal Imaging Biomarkers for Investigating Fascia, Muscle, and Vasculature in Myofascial Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Biomarkers, Endpoints, and Signatures for Pain Conditions NCCIH GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY SIKDAR, SIDDHARTHA Fairfax, VA 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:

Pain in the muscles and surrounding connective tissue (myofascial pain) is a significant health concern affecting hundreds of millions of Americans.  Myofascial pain is primarily diagnosed by asking people about their amount of pain as well as through a physical examination. Both approaches are imprecise ways to diagnose the specific type of pain a patient is experiencing and what is causing it. This project aims to improve myofascial pain management and treatment by developing ways to measure changes to soft tissues (e.g., muscle, connective tissues, nerves, blood vessels) in people with myofascial pain compared with soft tissues in people who are not in pain. The project will develop an imaging biomarker that can distinguish healthy and diseased soft tissues that may contribute to myofascial pain syndrome. The project will then test the ability of these biomarkers to predict patient outcomes in a randomized controlled clinical trial.

1R61AT012185-01
MRI-Based Quantitative Characterization of Impaired Myofascial Interface Properties in Myofascial Pain Syndrome Clinical Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Biomarkers, Endpoints, and Signatures for Pain Conditions NCCIH MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER YIN, ZIYING (contact); BAUER, BRENT A Rochester, MN 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:

Pain in the muscles and surrounding connective tissue (myofascial pain) is a significant health concern affecting hundreds of millions of Americans. Understanding and managing myofascial pain has been limited due to a lack of tools to help clinicians diagnose and treat this disorder. While past efforts to understand myofascial pain have focused on impairments in how connective tissues connect to other tissues in the body, this project will use a new imaging technique to study myofascial tissue physical properties, including how they move in the body and their structural stiffness. This research will identify an imaging biomarker to be used in a randomized controlled clinical trial to predict patient responses to a myofascial pain treatment.

1R61AT012284-01
Electrophysiological and Ultrasound Quantitative Biomarkers for Myofascial Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Biomarkers, Endpoints, and Signatures for Pain Conditions NCCIH BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER RUTKOVE, SEWARD B (contact); WAINGER, BRIAN JASON Boston, MA 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:

Pain in the muscles and surrounding connective tissue (myofascial pain) is a significant and poorly understood health concern affecting hundreds of millions of Americans. There is a great need for tools to assess changes to myofascial tissues in individuals with chronic pain as well as to measure the effect of commonly used therapies. This project will use three imaging tools to look at differences between shoulder tissue in people with myofascial pain compared to those without pain. Using a machine learning approach, this research aims to develop a biomarker signature for myofascial pain, which will be evaluated in a randomized controlled clinical trial based on its ability to predict patient responses to myofascial pain treatments.

1R61AT012283-01
Development and Identification of Magnetic Resonance, Electrophysiological, and Fiber-Optic Imaging Biomarkers of Myofascial Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Biomarkers, Endpoints, and Signatures for Pain Conditions NCCIH WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HU, SONG (contact); WANG, YONG St. Louis, MO 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:

Pain in muscles and surrounding connective tissue (myofascial pain) is a significant health concern affecting hundreds of millions of Americans. There is no objective way to identify and measure myofascial pain. This project will address this unmet challenge by developing a robust approach to identify imaging biomarker(s) that can distinguish different states of myofascial pain. The research will then examine the ability of identified biomarker(s) to predict patient responses to a myofascial pain treatment in a randomized controlled clinical trial.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.