Pain and Addiction | Brain Institute

Research teams across the University of Virginia are collaborating on innovative approaches to understanding and treating pain and addiction. Ongoing projects range from fundamental discoveries to novel treatments.

UVA is a leader in focused ultrasound technology, having pioneered it to treat essential and Parkinsonian tremor. Investigators are leveraging this expertise at the using this and related technologies for neuromodulation and new targets to treat pain and addiction.

Promising curative treatments in pain and addiction

UVA researchers are testing some of the latest, most advanced treatments to advance the field

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News |

September 4, 2026

New, Noninvasive Options Show Promise for Treating Substance Use

James Mahoney and Daisy Thompson-Lake, scientists leading UVA’s Center for Neuromodulation Research recently highlighted the potential of two neuromodulation techniques, focused ultrasound and vagus nerve stimulation, to target the underlying drivers of addiction.

UVA Health

Announcement |

June 3, 2025

Awarded Community Engagement Pilot Grants

The Brain Institute is pleased to announce the community engagement pilot grant awardees.

Announcement |

November 15, 2024

2024 Transformative Neuroscience Pilot Grant Awards

The Brain Institute is pleased to announce the 2024 Transformative Neuroscience Pilot Grant awardees.

Announcement |

August 30, 2024

Meet Kelsey Kubelick, new Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering

Dr. Kelsey Kubelick joined the UVA Department of Biomedical Engineering as an Assistant Professor in July 2024.

Announcement |

August 9, 2024

Meet Colin Derdeyn, Chair of the Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging

Dr. Colin Derdeyn joined the UVA School of Medicine as Chair of the Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging in January 2024.

Announcement |

May 28, 2024

2024 UVA Brain Symposium Hosts Over 300 Neuroscience Researchers in Charlottesville

The 2024 UVA Brain Symposium was held May 21-23, 2024 at the new UVA Contemplative Commons. Over 300 faculty, students, staff, and community members attended the event which focused on emerging research in 5 key neuroscience topic areas.

Announcement |

May 9, 2024

Meet Edward Nieh, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology

Dr. Edward Nieh joined the UVA School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology in 2023.

News |

February 20, 2024

UVA Pain Research Suggests New Ways to Manage Migraine, Chronic Pain in Women

Doctors may be able to develop new treatments for migraines and chronic pain in women by targeting receptors in the brain that help regulate their fertility, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine suggests.

UVA Making of Medicine

Announcement |

February 13, 2024

Brain Institute to host a Neuroimaging Focus Group on February 29th

The Brain Institute will host an neuroimaging focus group on Thursday, February 29th, 2024.

News |

January 19, 2024

Chronic Lower Back Pain Is Real. Can a Psychedelic Drug Come to Your Rescue?

The psilocybin contained in so-called “magic mushrooms” may one day be a supervised treatment option for chronic lower back pain.

UVA Today

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Promising curative treatments in pain and addiction

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