News & Publications

New Video Available: High Impact Chronic Pain: Why It Matters for Research and Clinical CareWatch the full presentation now in the Media CenterIn Episode 6 of the Exploring Pain series, host Laura Wandner, PhD, is joined by Mark Pitcher, PhD (Chief of Staff, NCCIH), and Linda Porter, PhD (Former Director, Office of Pain Policy and Planning, NINDS), to discuss how the High Impact Chronic Pain (HICP

Earlier this year, we asked the research community to weigh in on a proposed Clinical Trial Specific Application Form that would consolidate clinical trial information currently provided across two application components into a single, semi-structured form with page limits (NOT-OD-26-058). The goal is to reduce redundancy and burden, clarify expectations for applicants, and make critical informati

On August 19, 2026, NIH released a Draft Biosafety Policy for Research Involving Biohazards for public comment. When finalized, the policy will replace the current NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.The draft policy would continue to apply to biomedical research occurring in laboratory settings at institutions conducting NIH-supported research. Ho

Sci Transl Med. 2026 Sep 2;18(865):eaed8729. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aed8729. Epub 2026 Sep 2.ABSTRACTThe skull bone marrow (SBM) is emerging as a critical hub for neuroimmune signaling, yet its role in chronic pain is unknown. Using integrated positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, here, we show that the levels of 18-kilodalton translocator protein (TSPO), a putative marker of

Notice NOT-AG-26-010 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts

Research environments free from harassment, bullying, retaliation, and other hostile working conditions are fundamental to the conduct of NIH-supported biomedical studies.  These conditions enable trainees, staff, and collaborators to work effectively while preserving scientific integrity, protecting the biomedical research workforce, and ensuring the responsible stewardship of public funds. Accor

Notice NOT-OD-26-114 from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts

We are pleased to announce that the fiscal year (FY) 2027 NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program (LRP) application cycle opened on September 1, 2026, and closes on November 19, 2026. Researchers interested in applying are encouraged to join the LRP Technical Assistance Webinar that takes a deep dive into the application process, and more. Here are the basics on the extramural LRP:Established over t

Clin J Pain. 2026 Sep 7. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000001412. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore postoperative pain trajectories in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA) and to identify patterns of pain change and their influencing factors.METHODS: We used convenience sampling to select 374 patients with total joint arthroplasty at a Grade A tertiary ho

Pain Res Manag. 2026;2026(1):e6605418. doi: 10.1155/prm/6605418.ABSTRACTOpioids serve as the cornerstone for anesthesia, postoperative analgesia, and chronic pain management. However, significant interindividual variations exist in their efficacy and safety, posing substantial challenges to clinical practice. Genetic polymorphisms of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, particularly CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5,

J Rehabil Med. 2026 Sep 7;58:jrm45007. doi: 10.2340/jrm.v58.45007.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: Compare rehabilitation process and outcomes between patients with and without mental health disorders.DESIGN: Observational cohort study.SUBJECTS: 130 patients receiving post-acute inpatient rehabilitation after acute injury or illness.METHODS: Mental health disorders were assessed with diagnostic interviews. Adju

Occup Med (Lond). 2026 Sep 7:kqag079. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqag079. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Chronic pain affects around 28 million people in the United Kingdom and is a major public health challenge with a substantial economic and social burden. Employers lack awareness of the impacts of chronic pain on work and employee wellbeing which hinders provision of workplace support.AIMS:

J Orthop Surg Res. 2026 Aug 22;21(1):536. doi: 10.1186/s13018-026-07159-7.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: This prospective cohort study aimed to compare absorbable and non-absorbable sutures in the context of open clinic hand surgery, focusing on postoperative wound infection, dehiscence, patient-reported pain during dressing or suture removal, and healthcare time utilization during follow-up.METHODS: A total

Immunol Cell Biol. 2026 Sep 6. doi: 10.1111/imcb.70160. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTT cells are critical for controlling the adaptive immune response and maintaining the homeostasis of the body. Recent evidence suggests that T cells are involved in the initiation, maintenance, and resolution of chronic pain by releasing mediators such as cytokines and endogenous opioids. In this review, we highl

Pain Res Manag. 2026;2026(1):e5805413. doi: 10.1155/prm/5805413.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Chronic pain has been associated with disrupted sensorimotor integration and altered internal body representations. While implicit motor imagery (MI) has been explored in pain populations, explicit MI, defined as the deliberate mental simulation of movement, remains less well understood.OBJECTIVE: This systematic r

J Diabetes Res. 2026;2026(1):e4561974. doi: 10.1155/jdr/4561974.ABSTRACTPeripheral painful sensory neuropathy represents a prevalent and disabling complication of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, despite the clinical need for improved analgesic approaches, clinicians remain inadequately provisioned to treat these patients as many analgesics are ineffective or initiate undesirable health-

Sci Rep. 2026 Sep 7;16(1):27944. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-69062-9.ABSTRACTNeuropathic pain (NP) often progresses from acute to chronic, but the mechanisms driving this transition remain unclear. Microglia play a central role in spinal sensitization, yet their functional evolution during pain chronification is poorly understood. Through integrated multi-omics analysis and experimental validation, th

JMIR Form Res. 2026 Sep 2;10:e96015. doi: 10.2196/96015.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: In the United States and worldwide, chronic pain affects a vast number of people and is one of the leading reasons adults seek medical care. In the United States, 24.3% of adults reported experiencing chronic pain in the prior 3 months in 2023. Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts ≥3 months, significantly disrupting

Drug Des Devel Ther. 2026 Aug 28;20:623254. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S623254. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Imrecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor approved for osteoarthritis pain, has shown therapeutic potential in various inflammatory conditions. However, real-world evidence of application patterns and effectiveness in routine practice remains limited.METHODS: A non-interventional, registry-base

Front Public Health. 2026 Aug 18;14:1863881. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1863881. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Chronic pain affects approximately 20% of the global population. In primary care settings, chronic pain may account for up to 37.5% of weekly consultations. Most chronic pain is non-specific, complicating diagnosis and treatment. Kinesiophobia and movement avoidance may accompany chro