{"id":27,"date":"2025-09-16T13:51:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T13:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/?page_id=27"},"modified":"2026-07-02T17:41:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T17:41:48","slug":"our-research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/our-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Ongoing Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-blockquote\">\n    The Translational Research in Pain (TRiP) Lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms, assessment, and treatment of pain across species. Our work emphasizes translational approaches that support clinically relevant outcomes in both veterinary and human medicine.\n  <\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Osteoarthritis &amp; Chronic Pain in Dogs: A Model for Human Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Naturally occurring osteoarthritis and osteosarcoma in pet dogs is very similar to the same conditions in humans. We study osteoarthritis and osteosarcoma in pet dogs <em>as models of the human conditions<\/em>, allowing us to both learn more about how to manage these painful conditions in dogs, and contribute to the development of non-opioid pain therapeutics in humans. We use a wide variety of validated subjective and objective outcome measures to assess putative analgesic drugs that may be developed for use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Watch this video where experts in the veterinary and human pain fields talk about how pets can contribute to human pain research and benefit themselves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Chronic Pain in Companion Animals\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BY_9mk-PPRw?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Dogs?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding Chronic Pain Through Canine Research<br><\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dogs share our homes, environments, and many of the same chronic health conditions experienced by humans, making them an important translational model for chronic pain research. Unlike traditional laboratory models, companion dogs naturally develop conditions such as osteoarthritis, age-related cognitive changes, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and persistent pain syndromes that closely resemble those seen in people. Studying naturally occurring disease in dogs allows researchers to better understand how chronic pain develops, affects daily life, and interacts with emotional and physical health in real-world settings.<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"956\" height=\"527\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-513\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2025-01-28-155642.png\"\n         alt=\"Student petting dog\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2025-01-28-155642.png 956w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2025-01-28-155642-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2025-01-28-155642-768x423.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 956px) 100vw, 956px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the TRiP Lab, our research explores the complex relationship between chronic pain, behavior, cognition, and overall well-being. Through our emotion and cognition studies, we investigate how chronic pain may influence emotional processing, stress, social behavior, and cognitive function in dogs. These findings help improve canine welfare while also contributing to a broader understanding of how persistent pain affects quality of life across species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across all studies, the welfare of participating dogs remains our highest priority. By partnering with pet owners and veterinary clinicians, the TRiP Lab conducts compassionate, minimally invasive research designed to improve the quality of life for companion animals while advancing the understanding and treatment of chronic pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Gut Health &amp; Pain: An Emerging Focus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lab is expanding into emerging areas of pain research, including the role of the gut\u2013pain axis. Ongoing work examines how intestinal permeability (\u201cleaky gut\u201d) and related inflammatory processes may contribute to chronic pain. Dogs offer a valuable model for exploring these interactions because they naturally experience many of the same gastrointestinal and inflammatory conditions as humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Current studies in dogs with osteoarthritis are evaluating the effects of prebiotic supplementation on gut health, mobility, and pain outcomes. Using a randomized, double-blind clinical design, these studies combine caregiver-reported outcomes, activity monitoring, imaging, and non-invasive measures of gut permeability to assess how changes in the gut may influence pain and overall function.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This approach supports the identification of novel therapeutic targets and strengthens the translation of gut-focused interventions into clinically relevant pain management strategies. For more information, click <a href=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/gos-supplement-clinical-study\/\">here <\/a>to learn more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/NJL0075-CE-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/NJL0075-CE-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/NJL0075-CE-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/NJL0075-CE-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/NJL0075-CE-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/NJL0075-CE-1-2048x1367.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo by Nathan Latil\/NC State Veterinary Medicine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Advancing Pain Research Through Collaboration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-blockquote\">\n    TRiP Lab research is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary. We work with partners across NC State and beyond, including ongoing collaborations with Dr. Mishra, Dr. Gruen, &amp; Dr. Nelson to incorporate behavioral, physiological, and clinical perspectives.\n  <\/blockquote>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dr. Margaret E. Gruen<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drs. Margaret Gruen and Duncan Lascelles are <a href=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-pain-research-and-education-center\/innovative-modeling-of-the-biopsychosocial-impact-of-chronic-pain-in-dogs\/\">collaborating on a project to develop a set of carefully designed tests that measure how chronic pain affects dogs\u2019 emotions and thinking. <\/a>These tests look at things like anxiety, motivation, learning, attention, and decision\u2011making. The goal is to create reliable, science\u2011based tools that help researchers and veterinarians better understand the full impact of persistent pain on dogs\u2019 well\u2011being.<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-92\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2025\/10\/Gruen-Margaret-1.jpg\"\n         alt=\"Margaret Gruen\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2025\/10\/Gruen-Margaret-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2025\/10\/Gruen-Margaret-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2025\/10\/Gruen-Margaret-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dr. Santosh Mishra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Duncan Lascelles and Dr. Santosh Mishra are <a href=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-pain-research-and-education-center\/evaluation-of-mechanistic-role-of-artemin-gfr%ce%b13-signaling-inosteoarthritis-pain\/\">working together to better understand why osteoarthritis causes long\u2011lasting joint pain.<\/a> Their team recently discovered changes in a specific biological pathway\u2014called the artemin\/GFR\u03b13 pathway\u2014in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. These same changes appear to play a role in human joint pain as well. With support from the NIH, the group is now exploring this pathway in depth to see whether it could lead to safer, non\u2011opioid treatments for chronic pain.<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-93\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2025\/10\/Mishra_Santosh_250.jpg\"\n         alt=\"Santosh Mishra I\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2025\/10\/Mishra_Santosh_250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2025\/10\/Mishra_Santosh_250-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dr. Amanda Nelson<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Duncan Lascelles and Dr. Amanda Nelson are <a href=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-pain-research-and-education-center\/research\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-pain-research-and-education-center\/research\/\">collaborating on research exploring how gut health may influence osteoarthritis that affects multiple joints<\/a>. Their work draws on large human studies and a naturally occurring model of osteoarthritis in pet dogs to investigate whether \u201cleaky gut\u201d and related inflammation contribute to the development and progression of this widespread condition. By identifying biological markers linked to worsening disease and testing whether improving gut health can reduce symptoms, their team aims to uncover new ways to predict, prevent, and treat multi\u2011joint osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"584\" height=\"584\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-475\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-10.17.38-AM.png\"\n         alt=\"Dr. Amanda Nelson\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-10.17.38-AM.png 584w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-10.17.38-AM-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-21-at-10.17.38-AM-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n      \n<div class=\"text-only wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dr. Michael Nolan<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Duncan Lascelles and Dr. Michael Nolan are <a href=\"https:\/\/reporter.nih.gov\/search\/odMnpVt6yUijO9bDdZ9sgw\/project-details\/10361425#similar-Projects\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/reporter.nih.gov\/search\/odMnpVt6yUijO9bDdZ9sgw\/project-details\/10361425#similar-Projects\">collaborating on research investigating the biological mechanisms underlying radiation-associated pain in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.<\/a> Their work focuses on a specific neural signaling pathway involving artemin (ARTN), the GFR\u03b13 receptor, and the TRPM8 ion channel, which preliminary studies suggest may play a critical role in generating severe orofacial pain following radiation treatment. By identifying the molecular drivers of this condition, the project seeks to lay the groundwork for safer, more targeted pain therapies that could improve patient comfort while reducing reliance on opioid medications during and after cancer treatment<\/p>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-fp-image\">\n  <figure class=\"fancy-paragraph__image-container fancy-paragraph__image-square\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"648\" height=\"434\" \n        decoding=\"async\"\n        class=\"fp-image wp-image-530\"\n        src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-03-at-2.52.59-PM.png\"\n         alt=\"Michael Nolan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-03-at-2.52.59-PM.png 648w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-03-at-2.52.59-PM-300x201.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px\" \/>\n          <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-askew-media-text has-custombg-two-background-color wp-block-ncst-mini-story\">\n    <div class=\"ncst-askew-media-text__container\">\n      \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-text-column\">\n    <h2 class=\"ncst-text-column__heading\">Interested in Participating?<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"ncst-text-column__teaser\">Click the button below to learn more about current and upcoming research projects!<\/p>\n          \n<div class=\"is-text wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n    \n<div class=\"is-style-secondary wp-block-ncst-button\">\n      <a\n        class=\"ncst-block__button-link btn\"\n        href=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/comparative-pain-research-and-education-center\/research\/\"\n        data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\"\n                      >\n                  <span class=\"text\">Click me!<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n              <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-media\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-125352-1024x568.png\" alt=\"Photo of Chai (dog)\" class=\"wp-image-376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-125352-1024x568.png 1024w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-125352-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-125352-768x426.png 768w, https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/02\/Screenshot-2026-01-23-125352.png 1333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Osteoarthritis &amp; Chronic Pain in Dogs: A Model for Human Pain Naturally occurring osteoarthritis and osteosarcoma in pet dogs is very similar to the same conditions in humans. We study osteoarthritis and osteosarcoma in pet dogs as models of the human conditions, allowing us to both learn more about how to manage these painful conditions&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50263,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/split-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"backgroundColor\":\"custombg_one\",\"imageID\":469,\"imageURL\":\"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/446\/2026\/04\/22017-Lascelles-DuBose-DP-2x3-042-scaled.jpg\",\"focalPoint\":{\"x\":0.49,\"y\":0.49},\"imageAlt\":\"Dr. Lascelles acception Duboise Award\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/50263"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":546,"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27\/revisions\/546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cvm.ncsu.edu\/translational-research-in-pain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}