Involvement of adrenergic receptors in neuropathic pain

Funded Activity Summary

After nerve or tissue injury including burns, some people will suffer from a condition called neuropathic pain. This is a condition where chronic pain is endured, often totally unrelated to the initial injury or induced by events that would normally not be painful. Our project will determine whether this abnormal pain response is due to an abnormal communication between the nerves that carry pain signals (sensory nerves) and nerves that form part of the sympathetic nervous system, which is part of autonomic (or involuntary) nervous system. We believe that this abnormal communication is due to an increase in the expression of special receptors called adrenergic receptors, on the sensory nerves. Our project will look at these receptors in the skin of animals that have had pain conditions induced, and also in skin samples from patients who suffer from neuropathic pain that can be classified as sensitive to sympathetic stimulation. By better understanding how neuropathic pain is derived, we can open the door to novel treatment approaches in these difficult to treat conditions.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2007

End Date: 01-01-2009

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $345,473.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Peripheral Nervous System

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

adrenergic receptor | burn injury | neuropathic pain | neurotrauma | nociception | pain transmission | painful sensory neuropathy | peripheral nerve injury | sympathetic nervous system

Related Links