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Investigating NOP agonists as a novel treatment for chronic pain-associated sleep disruptions

Award Number: F31DA063322
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/21/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/20/2028

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Investigating NOP agonists as a novel treatment for chronic pain-associated sleep disruptions - PROJECT SUMMARY Chronic pain is a debilitating disorder that effects 50.2 million people and is characterized by persistent pain lasting three months or longer and negatively impacts mood, cognition, sleep, health, and quality of life. Sleep disturbances are reported by 50-80% of patients with chronic pain that are not adequately targeted by traditional analgesics. Given the importance of sleep in regulating general brain health and contributing to daily function, developing novel analgesics that improve sleep disruptions represent a critical unmet need. Using electroencephalography (EEG) in rats, we will 1) examine the duration and severity of sleep-disruptions in a rodent model of sub-chronic neuropathic pain (partial sciatic nerve ligation; PSNL); 2) examine how current analgesics oxycodone and gabapentin influence sleep and pain sensitivity in this model; and 3) investigate the effects of Nociceptin/Orphanin Opioid (NOP) receptor agonists on sleep and pain. Similar to MOR agonists, NOP agonists demonstrate analgesic activity, yet in contrast with MOR agonists, demonstrate low abuse liability and improve sleep. I expect that PSNL will produce extensive disruptions in sleep duration and quality, lasting 2-3 weeks. I hypothesize that oxycodone will significantly decrease sleep duration and quality in PSNL rats, and that gabapentin will not impact sleep, both within analgesic dose ranges. Lastly, I hypothesize that NOP agonists will reduce pain sensitivity and increase sleep duration and quality in PSNL rats. Collectively, these studies will reiterate the importance of sleep disruptions associated with pain states, highlight unmet need for novel treatments specifically targeting sleep disruptions, and test the viability of NOP agonists for the treatment of chronic pain.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $50,114 )
2026	2026	WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES	MEDICAL CENTER BLVD	WINSTON SALEM	NC	27157	FORSYTH	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	2	4/2/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$50,114
														Subtotal = $50,114

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $49,538 )
2025	2025	WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES	MEDICAL CENTER BLVD	WINSTON SALEM	NC	27157	FORSYTH	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	001	1	4/11/2025	NEW	$0
2025	2025	WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES	MEDICAL CENTER BLVD	WINSTON SALEM	NC	27157	FORSYTH	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	000	1	4/11/2025	NEW	$48,974
2025	2025	WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES	MEDICAL CENTER BLVD	WINSTON SALEM	NC	27157	FORSYTH	USA	Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs	002	1	8/11/2025	NEW	$564
														Subtotal = $49,538

Grand Total All Awards = $99,652

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Investigating NOP agonists as a novel treatment for chronic pain-associated sleep disruptions

Award Number: F31DA063322

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/21/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/20/2028

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