Research Spotlights

Explore the projects helping to make a difference in the opioid crisis.

HOPE for Managing Pain

Toward personalized care for people treated with dialysis

Published: January 28, 2021

Topics: Integrated Approach to Pain and Opioid Use in Hemodialysis Patients

Breaking Through the Wall of Stigma

NIH HEAL research aims to address stigma among healthcare providers

Published: January 21, 2021

Topics: Enhancing the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network to Address Opioids, Stigma in Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder

Patient Engagement in Pain and Addiction Research

Questions and answers with the HEAL Patient Engagement Working Group

Published: January 7, 2021

Topics:

About the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network

Published: December 29, 2020

Topics: Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network (JCOIN)

Using Virtual Reality to Treat Real Pain

Can immersive experiences provide relief by distracting patients from pain?

Published: December 22, 2020

Topics: Back Pain Consortium Research Program

woman sitting at a table working on a laptop computer

Stopping Opioid Misuse in its Tracks

Published: December 3, 2020

Topics: Prevention of Progression to Moderate or Severe Opioid Use Disorder

Re-envisioning How the Criminal Justice System Responds to the Opioid Crisis

Re-envisioning how the criminal justice system responds to the opioid crisis

Published: November 5, 2020

Topics: Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network (JCOIN)

Image of a Zoom screenshot of Narcan Training Team

Voices from the HEALing Communities Study

Community members are working to save lives from opioid-related overdoses

Published: October 18, 2020

Topics: HEALing Communities Study

Communications campaign materials for HCS

HEALing Communities Across America

Communities and scientists join forces to save lives from opioid use disorder

Published: October 19, 2020

Topics: HEALing Communities Study, Stigma in Pain Management and Opioid Use Disorder

Photo of Picchione, Resnick and Signore in lab

Crafting a Cure for Diabetic Neuropathic Pain, Molecule by Molecule

A team of scientists at Knopp Biosciences LLC, is innovating treatments to manage neuropathic pain by aiming at its source — hyperactive nerve cells.

Published: October 14, 2020

Topics: Development and Optimization of Non-Addictive Therapies to Treat Pain

Designing Alternatives to Morphine After Surgery

A small company is developing a new way to create a safe extended-release pain medication

Published: October 14, 2020

Topics: Small Business Programs

Image of hip sciatica pain for the orphan GPCR spotlight

Unlocking the Secrets of Nerve Pain

An NIH HEAL Initiative® research team is searching for new targets for non-addictive pain treatments

Published: October 5, 2020

Topics: Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Treatment of Pain

A Shot Against Opioids

Published: September 22, 2020

Topics: Focusing Medication Development to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose

Can an inflammatory index predict sickle cell pain?

Published: September 22, 2020

Topics: Discovery and Validation of Biomarkers, Endpoints, and Signatures for Pain Conditions

ACTing Now to Help Infants Across America

Published: September 4, 2020

Topics: Advancing Clinical Trials in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (ACT NOW)

First, They Need a Place to Call HOME

Published: September 3, 2020

Topics: Preventing Opioid Use Disorder

Helping Youth Break the Cycle of Opioid Misuse in Rural Oklahoma

Published: August 25, 2020

Topics: Preventing Opioid Use Disorder

Fully Engaged: The Importance of Involving Patients in Research

The NIH HEAL Initiative wants to learn from examples of successful strategies used by researchers that meet patients where they are and invite them to join the research process. Email HEALquestion@od.nih.gov

Published: August 19, 2020

Topics:

Can Exposures Before Birth Predict Health Later in Life?

The NIH HEAL Initiative supports research that looks at the relationship of prenatal exposure of opioids on brain function in infants. Research also studies the role that prenatal exposure to opioids might play in the emergence of cognitive and behavioral issues.

Published: July 29, 2020

Topics: HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study

Mindfulness: A MORE Effective Approach to Pain and Addiction

Project aims to improve pain relief while supporting treatment for opioid use disorder and long-term recovery.

Published: July 27, 2020

Topics: Behavioral Research to Improve Medication-Based Treatment

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