Sunyoung Cho
Papers
1
Total Citations
16
H-Index
1
About
Sunyoung Cho is a translational researcher whose work bridges neuroscience, pharmacology, and surgical pain management. Her primary research areas include the neurobiology of pain, novel analgesic development, and the affective (emotional) components of postoperative recovery. Cho’s most notable contribution is her pioneering investigation of VVZ-149, a first-in-class small molecule that simultaneously inhibits glycine transporter type 2 and the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A. In a landmark 2021 proof-of-concept study, she led a randomized, double-blind trial demonstrating that VVZ-149 significantly reduces the affective dimension of pain—such as unpleasantness and emotional distress—following laparoscopic and robotic-laparoscopic gastrectomy. This work, cited 16 times, represents a critical step toward non-opioid analgesics that target both sensory and emotional pain pathways. By focusing on the often-overlooked psychological burden of acute surgical pain, Cho’s research offers a more holistic approach to perioperative care. Her findings have implications for reducing opioid dependence and improving patient quality of life. Cho’s work is particularly valuable for students and researchers interested in the intersection of molecular pharmacology, clinical trial design, and patient-centered outcomes in pain medicine.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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