This Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) application proposes a program of research and training to extend the candidate's behavioral neuroscience training to strengthen molecular and neural aspects of behavioral regulation. The program will accomplish the following goals: 1) strengthen and deepen the candidate's neuropharmacological and neuroanatomical skills gained at the Division of Developmental Psychobiology of Columbia University; 2) provide training in molecular biological and electrophysiological concepts and techniques in collaboration with specialized laboratories at Columbia University; 3) apply these skills to investigate the development of nociceptive systems in the infant animal. The specific research aim of the proposed study is to investigate the role of spinal ionotropic NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptors in acute pain and hyperalgesia across early ontogeny in the rat. This will be done by: 1) using pharmacological methods to determine the role of spinal NMDA and AMPA receptors in nociception during the first 3 weeks after birth; 2) using in situ and immunocytochemistry to determine the impact of exposure to acute pain and inflammatory-induced hyperalgesia on spinal NMDA and AMPA receptors across development; 3) using electrophysiological methods to determine whether NMDA and AMPA recpetors play a role in inflammatory-induced injury on spinal neurons across development. Knowledge of the impact of exposure to nociceptive stimuli on these receptors is important in developing pain management techniques that reduce pain during injury and potentially block long-term changes in the nociceptive system caused by the early injury. The proposed training program is critical in the candidates transition from a postdoctoral fellow to an - independent investigator by providing conceptual and technical skills to investigate the development of nociceptive systems.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01DA016431-01
Application #
6610883
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Thomas, David A
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
2007-07-31
Budget Start
2002-08-01
Budget End
2003-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$105,298
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arizona
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Tucson
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85721
Sukhtankar, Devki; Okun, Alec; Chandramouli, Anupama et al. (2011) Inhibition of p38-MAPK signaling pathway attenuates breast cancer induced bone pain and disease progression in a murine model of cancer-induced bone pain. Mol Pain 7:81
King, Tamara E; Barr, Gordon A (2007) Spinal cord ionotropic glutamate receptors function in formalin-induced nociception in preweaning rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 192:489-98
King, Tamara; Gardell, Luis R; Wang, Ruizhong et al. (2005) Role of NK-1 neurotransmission in opioid-induced hyperalgesia. Pain 116:276-88