We are excited to announce that the Gaudet Lab has received a new research grant from the Trauma Research and Combat Casualty Care Collaborative (TRC4). This funding will support our work on a major hurdle in recovery: chronic neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury.
While current pain medications often have detrimental side effects like sedation or the risk of addiction, our team is investigating a more precise molecular target: PKCε (protein kinase C epsilon). PKCε is a key "switch" in peripheral sensory neurons that drives the transition from acute to chronic pain.
In collaboration with Dr. Robert Messing and Dr. Stanton McHardy, we are testing a new small molecule (CP612) designed to inhibit PKCε. Our goal is to determine whether blocking this pathway can dampen persistent pain and improve functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury.
By focusing on the molecular drivers of pain, we hope to develop better therapeutic options for both veterans and civilians recovering from trauma. We are appreciative to receive support from TRC4 and look forward to sharing our progress!