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
1R61NS133704-01
Development of Adrb3 Antagonists for the Treatment of Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Development and Optimization of Non-Addictive Therapies to Treat Pain NINDS DUKE UNIVERSITY NACKLEY, ANDREA G (contact); JIN, CHUNYANG Durham, NC 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Planning Studies for Initial Analgesic Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-21-029
Summary:

Common chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, temporomandibular disorder, and low back pain, are significant health conditions for which safe and effective treatments are needed. Previous studies have identified the adrenergic receptor beta-3 (Adrb3) as a novel target for chronic pain, but past attempts to block this receptor have not worked. This project aims to identify and develop new molecules to attach selectively and block Adrb3 without entering the brain and spinal cord. The research will test these molecules in rodent animal models to determine their ability to block pain without significant side effects.

1UG3HL165839-01A1
Peer suppoRt for adolescents and Emerging adults with Sickle cell pain: promoting ENgagement in Cognitive behavioral thErapy  (PRESENCE) Clinical Research in Pain Management Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN) NHLBI UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH JONASSAINT, CHARLES RICHARD (contact); MURRAY-KREZAN, CRISTIN Pittsburgh, PA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Sickle Cell Disease Pain Management Trials Utilizing the Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trial Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-AT-23-002
Summary:

Pain is the most common symptom of sickle cell disease (SCD), contributing to poor physical and emotional health outcomes and exacerbating socially determined health disparities at significant societal cost. PRESENCE will be the first study to compare the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program with and without peer support to usual care as a non-pharmaceutical option for pain management in adolescents and young adults living with SCD. CBT is delivered through an innovative digital app that is accessed on a mobile device with one group receiving self-guided CBT, a second group receiving CBT plus peer support, and a third group receiving usual SCD care. The PRESENCE program is comprised of strong community partnerships that provide the peer support component of the intervention. Measured outcomes will include pain and emotional health.

1R18EB035019-01
POWS for NOWS: Using Physiomarkers as an Objective Tool for Assessing the Withdrawing Infant Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Translating Discoveries into Effective Devices to Treat Pain NIBIB UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA SULLIVAN, BRYNNE ARCHER (contact); VESOULIS, ZACHARY ANDREW Charlottesville, VA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Translational Development of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Devices (R18 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-EB-22-002
Summary:

Infants exposed to opioids during pregnancy can develop neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). To date, clinicians generally use subjective evaluation to determine if an infant has NOWS, how severe the condition is, and if the infant needs treatment with or without medications. This project will evaluate whether an objective physiologic measure—continuous measurement of oxygen levels in the infant’s blood—can be used to develop a scoring system for assessing NOWS severity. The project will also develop and test a device to continuously monitor blood oxygen levels in the infants.

1UG3NS131518-01
Anesthetic-Eluting Contact Lens for Corneal Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Development and Optimization of Non-Addictive Therapies to Treat Pain NINDS SCHEPENS EYE RESEARCH INSTITUTE CIOLINO, JOSEPH Boston, MA 2023
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:

Acute corneal pain from eye injury or surgery can be severe and debilitating, and oral opioids can be addictive. Anesthetic eye drops, such as tetracaine, can relieve corneal pain, but are only available by prescription due to potential overuse of the drops that may affect wound healing. To date, no ocular anesthetics are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use at home. This project aims to develop a bandage that delivers anesthetic to the eye through a specially designed contact lens filled with medication. A prototype version of the bandage lens in an animal model delivered up to 30 hours of eye pain relief without wound damage. This research will optimize the prototype version and evaluate safety and compatibility with the human body, toward future clinical testing in humans. 

2R44DA050393-02
Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential of Exclusive Antagonists of Extrasynaptic NMDA Receptors for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NIDA NEURANO BIOSCIENCE MOLOKANOVA, ELENA La Jolla, CA 2023
NOFO Title: Advancing Validated Drug Targets for Substance Use Disorders (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-22-023
Summary:

New and safe therapeutic targets for treating opioid use disorder are needed. One promising approach is to test drugs currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that work independently of the body’s opioid system. The medication memantine targets N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain, which have been implicated in the development and maintenance of addiction. This project will study a miniature version of multiple memantine molecules bound together that attaches only to NMDA receptors that are not within nerve connections. The research will evaluate the safety, misuse potential, and effectiveness of this molecular assembly in preclinical models. 

1R41NS127637-01A1
Protease-Activated-Receptor-2 Antagonists for Treatment of Migraine Pain Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NINDS PARMEDICS, INC. DEFEA, KATHRYN (contact); DUSSOR, GREGORY O Temecula, CA 2023
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:

There is a need for additional effective treatments for migraine, which affects more than 36 million people in the United States. This project will develop an oral medication to disrupt the biological processes that drive migraine pain, which include nerve inflammation in response to pain signals. 

1R61NS133217-01
A Novel Assay to Improve Translation in Analgesic Drug Development Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Development and Optimization of Non-Addictive Therapies to Treat Pain NINDS VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY NEGUS, SIDNEY S Richmond, VA 2023
NOFO Title: Development and Validation of Pain-Related Models and Endpoints to Facilitate Non-Addictive Analgesic Discovery
NOFO Number: NOT-NS-22-095
Summary:

Effective development of non-addictive therapies for pain requires animal models that reflect the human condition. Unfortunately, currently used models have limitations and have not always done a good job of predicting what will work in human patients. This project will refine a new way of measuring pain-related behaviors in mice that takes advantage of more natural mouse behavior and is less influenced by experimenter biases and artifacts. The research will verify that the promising results hold up in several different types of pain and that different classes of clinically used pain medications are effective. They will also make sure the data can be reproduced by an outside laboratory. If successful, this will support the use of this new read-out for future pain therapy development.

1R01HD113199-01
The Opioid in Pregnancy: Imaging of Oxygenation, Inflammation, and Development in Brain & Placenta Project (OPIOID BPP) Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids The Biology of Opioid Exposure During Pregnancy and Effects on Early Neuro-Behavioral Development NICHD WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY KELLY, JEANNIE CHEN (contact); WANG, YONG Saint Louis, MO 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Opioid Exposure and Effects on Placenta Function, Brain Development, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-HD-23-030
Summary:

Opioid use disorder during pregnancy is associated with poor infant outcomes including neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) and impaired brain development during childhood. This project will use advanced imaging techniques to measure inflammation in the placenta and evaluate brain structure of the developing fetus. These data will be combined with measures of infant NOWS and neurodevelopmental outcomes at birth and 1 year of age. This research will explore the value of these imaging methods as diagnostic tools for infants exposed to opioids during pregnancy. The research will also study the effect of opioids on the placenta’s ability to provide oxygen to the growing fetus as well as the potential for inflammation to damage the placenta and harm development of the fetal brain. 

1R01DA059176-01
Multimodal Analysis of Gestational Health and Placental Injury in Opioid-Affected Pregnancies Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids The Biology of Opioid Exposure During Pregnancy and Effects on Early Neuro-Behavioral Development NIDA MAGEE-WOMEN'S RES INST AND FOUNDATION OUYANG, YINGSHI (contact); KRANS, ELIZABETH E; SADOVSKY, YOEL Pittsburgh, PA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Opioid Exposure and Effects on Placenta Function, Brain Development, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-HD-23-038
Summary:

This project will study the harmful effects of illicit and prescription opioid use during pregnancy and its consequences on the mother, fetus, and placenta. The research will integrate multiple different technologies to study molecular changes in biospecimens taken from research participants. Samples to be collected at birth and characterized include plasma and urine from the mother across the three trimesters of pregnancy, tissue samples of the placenta, and fetal cord blood. This research aims to shed new light on the underlying biology of opioid exposure on the placenta during pregnancy toward development of early interventions during opioid-exposed pregnancies. 

3U24DA055330-03S1  
HEALthy Brain and Child Development National Consortium Data Coordinating Center Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study (HBCD) NIDA WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SMYSER, CHRISTOPHER DANIEL (contact); FAIR, DAMIEN A Saint Louis, MO 2023
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): HEAL Initiative: Biospecimen Collection in Pregnancy
NOFO Number: NOT-DA-23-005
Summary:

Opioid use during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes for pregnant individuals and offspring. The mechanisms through which these outcomes arise and the consequences of prenatal opioid exposure on child health and development remain largely unexplored. The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study is a nationwide longitudinal prospective study of early child development that will assess a broad spectrum of biological, behavioral, social, and health factors among 7,500 pregnant women and their children from pregnancy to mid-childhood. This supplement will expand the biospecimen collection of the HBCD protocol at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to include delivery specimens (placenta, cord tissue, and cord blood). This will provide an unprecedented resource-generating opportunity for the larger scientific community to comprehensively evaluate mechanisms that mediate the connection between substance use during pregnancy and adverse neonatal, infant, and/or maternal health outcomes and inform innovative preventive strategies.

1R61DA059168-01
The Use of Novel Linked Databases to Reduce Postoperative Opioid Use Among Patients Undergoing Inpatient Surgery Cross-Cutting Research Translating Data 2 Action to Prevent Overdose NIDA STANDFORD UNIVERSITY SUN, ERIC (contact); COLQUHOUN, DOUGLAS ALASTAIR Stanford, CA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: HEAL Data2Action – Innovation and Acceleration Projects, Phased Awards (R61/R33, Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-23-057
Summary:

Older adults make up more than half of all surgical patients in the United States, putting them at risk for a range of harmful outcomes including misusing opioids, developing opioid use disorder (OUD), opioid overdose, and surgical complications. This project seeks to understand whether pre-surgery interventions can prevent harmful opioid-related outcomes. The research will combine data from a registry of electronic health records and from Medicare claims data to learn about the relationship between these interventions and opioid-related outcomes including persistent opioid use, OUD, and other harmful outcomes.

1RM1NS128956-01A1
Mechanisms of Action of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Translating Discoveries into Effective Devices to Treat Pain NINDS STANFORD UNIVERSITY HAH, JENNIFER (contact); BISWAL, SANDIP; CHADWICK, ANDREA LYNN Stanford, CA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Interdisciplinary Team Science to Uncover the Mechanisms of Pain Relief by Medical Devices (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-23-003
Summary:

Technology approaches that deliver electrical current through the skin near a damaged or injured peripheral nerve are used to treat chronic neuropathic pain that does not respond to other treatments. This project will optimize this nerve stimulation approach while also determining how the stimulation works to reduce pain in the body. The research will also look for patient characteristics that predict response by conducting a clinical trial comparing combined peripheral nerve stimulation and conventional medical treatment to medication alone.

1R44AR083337-01
Development of a Regional Anesthesia Guidance System to Increase Patient Access to Opioid-Sparing Analgesia for Hip Fracture Pain Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NIAMS RIVANNA MEDICAL, INC. MAULDIN, FRANK WILLIAM Charlottesville, VA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL INITIATIVE: Development of Therapies and Technologies Directed at Enhanced Pain Management (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-23-006
Summary:

Every year, more than 330,000 Americans are hospitalized for hip fractures. Rapid surgical intervention and pain treatment is critical to recover mobility and reduce other health complications. Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques are an effective alternative to opioid medication, but require specialized training for use in the emergency department. This project will develop and validate an easy-to-use ultrasound-based regional anesthesia guidance system, to ultimately improve access to non-opioid-pain treatment for hip fracture pain.

1U01DA058541-01
PDE7 Inhibitor for the Treatment of 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 OMEROS CORPORATION GAITANARIS, GEORGE Seattle, WA 2023
NOFO Title: Grand Opportunity in Medications Development for Substance-Use Disorders (U01 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: PAR-19-327
Summary:

Currently there are no effective treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cocaine use disorder. This project will explore the use of a novel class of small molecules that selectively block the molecule phosphodiesterase 7 (PDE7). Past research suggests that the PDE7 class of compounds helps restore normal functions of the dopamine reward system altered by chronic exposure to cocaine. This research will use both preclinical and clinical research studies to develop and test a PDE7 blocker, toward development of the first oral treatment for cocaine use disorder. 

1R21TR004701-01
Exploration of MBD1 as a Therapeutic Target for Chronic Pain Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain NCATS UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STONE, LAURA S Minneapolis, MN 2023
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: RFA-TR-22-011
Summary:

Chronic pain results in long-term changes throughout the central nervous system. These include abnormal structure and function of the frontal cortex region of the brain, which relays pain messages and also the common pain-related conditions depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Peripheral nerve injury results in widespread and long-lasting changes to DNA in the frontal cortex. DNA methylation, in which chemical tags are attached to DNA, is one way the body controls the activity of genes over time. This control occurs via proteins that recognize tagged DNA, and some of these proteins do not work properly in the frontal cortex many months after nerve injury. These changes occur after nerve injury and are linked to mechanical sensitivity. This project will determine this DNA-binding protein is a good target for finding new medications for chronic pain. 

1R44DA058467-01
Development of a Novel Calcium Channel Therapeutic for Opioid Use Disorder Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NIDA VIVREON BIOSCIENCES, LLC GREENBERG, MILTON L San Diego, CA 2023
NOFO Title: Developing Regulated Therapeutic and Diagnostic Solutions for Patients Affected by Opioid and/or Stimulants use Disorders (OUD/StUD) (R43/R44 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-23-021
Summary:

Hospitalized patients often receive opioids for pain and sleep management, which can contribute to opioid dependence and continued use after leaving the hospital. Even when hospital stays are extended to wean people from opioids, these patients remain at increased risk for opioid use disorder and withdrawal.  This project will develop a novel small molecule medication that blocks nerve inflammation to prevent opioid dependence in hospitalized patients receiving opioids. 

1U24DA058606-01
MIRHIQL Resource Center (MRC) for Improving Quality of Life with Chronic Pain Clinical Research in Pain Management Reducing Opioid-Related Harms to Treat Chronic Pain (IMPOWR and MIRHIQL) NIDA WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES ADAMS, MEREDITH C B (contact); HURLEY, ROBERT WILLSON Winston-Salem, NC 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Multilevel Interventions to Reduce Harm and Improve Quality of Life for Patients on Long Term Opioid Therapy (MIRHIQL): Resource Center (U24- Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-23-042
Summary:

Decreasing opioid dosing faster than advised by clinical recommendations often leaves chronic pain unaddressed and may increase the risk of overdose and suicide compared to continuing long-term opioid treatment. Clinical and research communities are uncertain about how to assess and manage long-term opioid therapy, despite having diagnostic and treatment frameworks for chronic pain and opioid use disorder. Because of this undefined space, health policy, institutions, and practitioners lack clear advice on long-term opioid prescribing in chronic pain. The goal of the MRC is to provide infrastructure support for the network; create a risk-benefit decision tool to assist providers in determining when opioids should be continued as prescribed, tapered, or tapered/discontinued; and develop and validate a clinical definition for this population (name, identifying associated symptoms/behaviors, and generating a screening tool). This project will leverage big data analytics in administrative datasets, natural language processing approaches in electronic health records, and cohort modeling techniques to accomplish these key responsibilities. These efforts will complement the qualitative data collection approaches in the Becker Resource Center. 

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 2023
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Encourage Eligible NIH HEAL Initiative Awardees to Apply for Administrative Supplements to Support Career Enhancement Related to Clinical Research on Pain
NOFO Number: NOT-NS-22-087
Summary:

This project supports a post-baccalaureate trainee develop skills needed to pursue a career in clinical pain research. The research will use molecular tools to study nerve, joint, muscle, and fascia tissues from individuals with chronic low back pain who had spine surgery. The research will include working with patients, designing clinical studies, and sharing results. 

1R01DA059177-01
Strategies to Define and Mitigate the Placental and Fetal Alterations Caused by Maternal Oxycodone Exposure Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids The Biology of Opioid Exposure During Pregnancy and Effects on Early Neuro-Behavioral Development NIDA UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER HARRIS, LYNDA KATHERINE (contact); PENDYALA, GURUDUTT N Omaha, NE 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Opioid Exposure and Effects on Placenta Function, Brain Development, and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-HD-23-033
Summary:

Exposure to prescription opioids during pregnancy can alter growth of the fetus and cause persistent neurological problems during childhood. This project will identify biological underpinnings of oxycodone exposure on health of the placenta, brain development of the fetus, and behavioral problems observed in early infancy. This research will also assess whether melatonin supplementation can limit these harmful outcomes. Overall, the research aims to characterize the health effects of oxycodone used during pregnancy, as well as to point to new tools and molecular indicators (biomarkers) for diagnosing, treating, and preventing opioid harm to the fetus and mother.

3U01DA055359-03S1
HBCD Study Biospecimens Administrative Supplement: Resource Generation for Delivery Specimens Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study (HBCD) NIDA UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR BAKHIREVA, LUDMILA NICOLE (contact); LEEMAN, LAWRENCE M Albuquerque, NM 2023
NOFO Title: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): HEAL Initiative: Biospecimen Collection in Pregnancy
NOFO Number: NOT-DA-23-005
Summary:

Opioid use during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes for pregnant individuals and offspring. The mechanisms through which these outcomes arise and the consequences of prenatal opioid exposure on child health and development remain largely unexplored. The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study is a nationwide longitudinal prospective study of early child development that will assess a broad spectrum of biological, behavioral, social, and health factors among 7,500 pregnant women and their children from pregnancy to mid-childhood. This supplement will expand the biospecimen collection of the HBCD protocol at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to include delivery specimens (placenta, cord tissue, and cord blood). This will provide an unprecedented resource-generating opportunity for the larger scientific community to comprehensively evaluate mechanisms that mediate the connection between substance use during pregnancy and adverse neonatal, infant, and/or maternal health outcomes and inform innovative preventive strategies

1UG3DA059285-01
Development of Cebranopadol, a Potent Dual MOP/NOP Agonist, for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose NIDA PARK THERAPEUTICS, INC. GRIECO, JOSEPH (contact); GREENWALD, MARK K; CICCOCIOPPO, ROBERTO Morristown, NJ 2023
NOFO Title: Development of Medications to Prevent and Treat Opioid and/or Stimulant Use Disorders and Overdose (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: PAR-22-200
Summary:

There is an urgent need for improved medications to treat OUD. This project will test cebranopadol, a novel synthetic medication that interacts in a new way with the human opioid system as a safe and potentially effective alternative treatment for OUD. The research will test the safety and efficacy of cebranopadol in preclinical and clinical studies, toward guiding future research to support potential approval of this medication by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

1R61DA057629-01A1
Chicago Data-driven OUD Screening, Engagement, Treatment and Planning (C-DOSETaP) System Cross-Cutting Research Translating Data 2 Action to Prevent Overdose NIDA UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO KARNIK, NIRANJAN Chicago, IL 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: HEAL Data2Action – Innovation and Acceleration Projects, Phased Awards (R61/R33, Clinical Trial Optional)
NOFO Number: RFA-DA-23-057
Summary:

Health services for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) are fragmented in west Chicago, an epicenter for overdose deaths. This project will develop a data-driven opioid response plan involving key partners. These include local health departments, community organizations, health care systems, and people with lived experience. The research will develop a digital screening tool for OUD that can be used in hospitals and their emergency departments. The tool will be built from machine learning of data from electronic health records, the prescription drug monitoring program, and patient-reported measures. The research will test the value of the screening tool for connecting people to treatment and preventing fatal overdoses mortality in local neighborhoods.

1UG3NR020929-01
Reaching Rural Veterans: Applying Mind-Body Skills for Pain Using a Whole Health Telehealth Intervention (RAMP-WH) Clinical Research in Pain Management Prevention and Management of Chronic Pain in Rural Populations NINR CENTER FOR VETERANS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION BURGESS, DIANA J (contact); EVANS RONI L; HADLANDSMYTH, KATHERINE E Minneapolis, MN 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Prevention and Management of Chronic Pain in Rural Populations (UG3/UH3, Clinical Trials Required)
NOFO Number: RFA-NR-23-001
Summary:

This project addresses the significant challenge of providing evidence-based, non-pharmacologic pain management to veterans with chronic pain living in rural regions. This research will test whether an innovative, virtual complementary and integrative group-based treatment will improve rural veterans’ pain management, function, and well-being. The research will also devise, evaluate, and adapt strategies for implementing this intervention while working with the health care system, veteran patients, and communities. The scalable, 12-week intervention includes pain education, mindfulness, pain-specific exercises, and cognitive behavioral strategies.

1R41NS132625-01A1
Opioid-Sparing Non-Surgical, Bioresorbable Nerve Stimulator for Pain Relief Cross-Cutting Research Small Business Programs NINDS VANISH THERAPEUTICS INC. CUI, XINYAN TRACY Mars, PA 2023
NOFO Title: HEAL Initiative: Development of Therapies and Technologies Directed at Enhanced Pain Management (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NOFO Number: RFA-NS-23-007
Summary:

Nerve stimulators are devices surgically implanted near a peripheral nerve or on the spinal cord that use electrical signals to reduce the perception of pain. Although these devices can provide effective pain relief to patients, many have high complication rates, resulting from the wire moving, breaking, not working, or the implantable battery pack or permanent wire causing new pain. This project will support the development and animal testing of a peripheral nerve stimulator to treat chronic pain which can be implanted without surgery. Once injected, the device will provide pain relief through electrical stimulation and then be safely degraded and resorbed by the body.

1R61NS131188-01
Development of LPA5 Antagonists as Analgesics Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management Development and Optimization of Non-Addictive Therapies to Treat Pain NINDS RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE ZHANG, YANAN (contact); LI, JUN-XU; TAO, YUAN-XIANG Research Triangle Park, NC 2023
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:

Neuropathic pain is a debilitating and complex medical condition for which safe and non-addictive treatment options are urgently needed. Preliminary studies have found that lysophosphatidic acid receptor 5 (LPA5) is present in areas of the body that signal pain, including at high levels in rodent models of neuropathic pain. This project will use genetic and pharmacological approaches to determine whether blocking LPA5 signaling reduces neuropathic pain toward future testing in humans.