Gu awarded $3.06 million NIH renewal to advance research on chronic facial pain

Jianguo GuJianguo Gu, M.B., Ph.D., M.B., Ph.D., professor and Edward A. Ernst, M.D., Endowed Chair in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, has received a five-year R01 competitive renewal from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the National Institutes of Health, to continue investigating the mechanisms behind chronic facial pain.

The grant, titled “Mechanisms of Nociception in the Trigeminal System,” continues a long-running research program that has been funded for 18 years. 

Gu and his team aim to better understand how pain signals are generated and transmitted through the trigeminal nervous system, which provides sensation to the face, mouth and head. The research focuses on trigeminal neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition that can cause heightened sensitivity and pain in response to normally nonpainful stimuli.

“Chronic orofacial pain can be extremely debilitating and can make everyday activities such as eating, speaking, brushing teeth and even smiling difficult,” said Gu, director for Pain Research in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. “Many patients suffer for years with limited treatment options because we still do not fully understand what causes these pain conditions at the cellular and molecular levels.”

The project will investigate the functional properties of a specialized group of nerve cells known as trigeminal Aβ-afferent high-threshold mechanoreceptors and identify the molecular components that allow them to detect painful mechanical stimuli. Researchers will also examine how these neurons contribute to trigeminal neuropathic pain and mechanical allodynia, a condition in which normally harmless touch sensations become painful.

The findings could reveal novel therapeutic targets for treating trigeminal neuropathic pain and improve understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic pain disorders.

“Our primary goal is to understand how pain-sensing neurons in the trigeminal system become activated and sensitized during injury or disease,” Gu said. “We want to identify the specific molecules and signal pathways that contribute to pain. By uncovering these mechanisms, we hope to identify new targets for therapies that could prevent or reduce chronic orofacial pain before it becomes long-lasting and difficult to treat.”

Current treatments for chronic facial pain often provide only partial relief and can carry significant side effects. Gu hopes the research will contribute to the development of therapies that address the biological causes of pain rather than simply treating symptoms.

“Ultimately, we hope this research will lead to safer and more effective treatments for people suffering from chronic orofacial pain conditions,” Gu said. “Our long-term goal is to improve quality of life for patients who struggle with persistent pain in the face, mouth and head.”

Beyond its potential clinical impact, the research may provide broader insights into how chronic pain develops throughout the nervous system.

“Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, yet many questions about how chronic pain develops remain unanswered,” Gu said. “The knowledge gained from studying the trigeminal system may also help scientists better understand pain mechanisms elsewhere in the body, accelerating the development of innovative treatments across multiple pain conditions.”

Gu emphasizes that the award reflects the value of foundational scientific research and the collaborative effort behind the project.

“This award reflects the importance of basic scientific research in addressing major health challenges,” Gu said. “We are grateful to NIDCR and NIH for their support and excited about the opportunity to contribute knowledge that may ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients living with chronic pain.”