Neuroscience Seminar Series: Dr. Gerald W. Zamponi, PhD
Chronic pain involves dysregulation of neuronal signalling at the peripheral and CNS levels. T-type voltage calcium channels control the firing of sensory afferents and spinal cord interneurons and are aberrantly upregulated in response to inflammation or nerve injury. This is due to alterations in post translational modification by deubiquitinase activity. I will present data on preclinical development of new drug molecules that act on this pathway. Neuronal circuits in the brain process nociceptive inputs to construct pain as an unpleasant sensation. Using optogenetics, electrophysiology, calcium imaging and projection tracing our team has identified a long range brain circuit that processes neuropathic pain by altering descending control over the spinal cord. I will present data showing that complex alterations in excitation-inhibition balance in the amygdala-prefrontal cortex-vlPAG-locus coeruleus- spinal cord axis is a key determinant of pain processing.
Angela Mohr
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