Fan Wang, together with William Maixner and Ru-Rong Ji, will lead a research project to identify new central analgesic circuits that could be harnessed to treat chronic pain. Funded at $3.2 million over 5 years, this effort is aimed at helping address chronic pain, a health problem that affects one-third of people in the U.S.
This grant is part of the NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative (NIH HEAL Initiative). The federal research initiative, launched in early 2018 by NIH Director Francis S. Collins, aims to apply scientific solutions to improve treatments for chronic pain, curb the rates of opioid use disorder and overdose, and achieve long-term recovery for opioid addiction. Research teams from Duke received more than $24 million in federal grants to address challenges related to pain and the opioid crisis.
“Duke researchers continue to be at the forefront of tackling some of the biggest issues that impact health and wellness in our world today,” said Mary E. Klotman, M.D., dean of the Duke University School of Medicine. “This support from the NIH will allow our faculty to explore new ways of managing chronic pain and overcoming addiction -- efforts that could improve the lives of millions of people.”
Learn more about other Duke projects that will be funded under this grant.