The inaugural issue of Research in Action, a new magazine about discovery and innovation at Temple University, highlights groundbreaking work underway at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (Katz) to transform how we treat pain. Led by neuroscientist Anjali Rajadhyaksha, PhD, director of the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CSAR), this research is tackling one of medicine’s most urgent challenges: how to preserve the powerful pain relief opioids provide while eliminating their addictive potential.
Opioids remain among the most effective treatments for severe pain, but their interaction with the brain’s reward system can lead to dependence and addiction. Rajadhyaksha’s work seeks to separate these effects. Her team has identified a promising pathway that may allow opioids to retain their analgesic properties without triggering the same reward-driven behaviors. The long-term goal is a medication that could deliver effective pain management without the risk of dependency.
This work reflects Katz’s commitment to addressing complex public health challenges through innovative research, taking a highly collaborative, translational approach to move discoveries from bench to bedside. As the opioid crisis continues to impact communities nationwide, this research offers a hopeful path forward where pain relief does not come with risk.