This resubmitted renewal application proposes a series of experiments directed at establishing unifying integrative neurologic explanations for co-morbid features of pain syndromes, balance disorders and anxiety disorders. The hypotheses explore the new perspective that there is a parallel neurochemical organization of vestibular and (interoceptive) nociceptive pathways through the parabrachial nucleus and thalamus.
Specific Aim 1 tests the hypothesis that the vestibular ganglion cells have marker phenotypes that parallel findings in small to medium sized dorsal root and trigeminal ganglion cells.
Specific Aim 2 uses fluorescent retrograde tract tracing, pseudorabies virus tract tracing and immunohistochemistry to test the hypothesis that the transmitter-specific organization of vestibulo-parabrachial and vestibulo-thalamic pathways parallels the organization of central pain pathways. It will test the hypothesis that there are two specific ascending vestibular pathways to the amygdala: (1) Substance P immunopositive vestibular ganglion cells AE 5OR1 immunopositive vestibular nucleus neurons AE parabrachial nucleus AE central amygdaloid nucleus. (2) P2X3 receptor positive/Isolectin B4 binding vestibular ganglion cells AE 5OR1-negative vestibular nucleus neurons AE thalamus (ventromedial, paracentral and ventroposterolateral nuclei) AE central amygdaloid nucleus.
Specific Aim 3 uses fluorescent retrograde tracing methods to test the hypothesis that the caudal parabrachial nucleus projects by collaterals to the vestibular nuclei and the paratrigeminal and caudal spinal trigeminal nuclei.
Specific Aim 4 tests the hypothesis that dopaminergic DRN afferents project to the medial aspect of the vestibular nuclei to a region that selectively expresses dopamine receptors.
Specific Aim 5 tests the hypothesis that administration of a CGRP antagonist to a mouse model of neurogenic migraine will attenuate both plasma extravasation in the meninges and the inner ear and central c-Fos expression in trigeminal and vestibular pathways. These studies will produce fundamental new insight into parallel and convergent mechanisms for co-morbidity of migraine and balance disorders.

Public Health Relevance

The current proposal reflects the recognition that there are very strong parallels in principles of organization of pain and balance pathways that can (1) explain the relatively prevalent co-morbidity of balance disorders (vertigo/dizziness) and migraine symptoms and (2) serve as targets for effective therapy.
Five aims test explicit hypotheses regarding transmitter-specific parallel pain and vestibular pathways that converge in interoceptive components of the parabrachial nucleus and thalamus. These studies will identify potential common sites of action of opioids, dopamine antagonists and antimigraine agents (e.g., triptans) in central and peripheral components of interoceptive pain and vestibular pathways. Hence, the experiments will shed new light of mechanisms accounting for the co-morbidity of vertigo/dizziness and migraine symptoms in patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC000739-21
Application #
8213689
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-F (02))
Program Officer
Platt, Christopher
Project Start
1990-03-01
Project End
2014-02-28
Budget Start
2012-03-01
Budget End
2013-02-28
Support Year
21
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$306,002
Indirect Cost
$102,359
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Otolaryngology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Balaban, Carey D; Hoffer, Michael E; Gottshall, Kim R (2012) Top-down approach to vestibular compensation: translational lessons from vestibular rehabilitation. Brain Res 1482:101-11
Balaban, Carey D (2011) Migraine, vertigo and migrainous vertigo: Links between vestibular and pain mechanisms. J Vestib Res 21:315-21
Furman, Joseph M; Marcus, Dawn A; Balaban, Carey D (2011) Rizatriptan reduces vestibular-induced motion sickness in migraineurs. J Headache Pain 12:81-8
Balaban, Carey D; Jacob, Rolf G; Furman, Joseph M (2011) Neurologic bases for comorbidity of balance disorders, anxiety disorders and migraine: neurotherapeutic implications. Expert Rev Neurother 11:379-94
McCandless, Cyrus H; Balaban, Carey D (2010) Parabrachial nucleus neuronal responses to off-vertical axis rotation in macaques. Exp Brain Res 202:271-90
Ahn, Seong-Ki; Balaban, Carey D (2010) Distribution of 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors in the inner ear. Brain Res 1346:92-101
Halberstadt, Adam L; Balaban, Carey D (2008) Selective anterograde tracing of nonserotonergic projections from dorsal raphe nucleus to the basal forebrain and extended amygdala. J Chem Neuroanat 35:317-25
Halberstadt, A L; Balaban, C D (2007) Selective anterograde tracing of the individual serotonergic and nonserotonergic components of the dorsal raphe nucleus projection to the vestibular nuclei. Neuroscience 147:207-23
Halberstadt, A L; Balaban, C D (2006) Anterograde tracing of projections from the dorsal raphe nucleus to the vestibular nuclei. Neuroscience 143:641-54
Halberstadt, A L; Balaban, C D (2006) Serotonergic and nonserotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus send collateralized projections to both the vestibular nuclei and the central amygdaloid nucleus. Neuroscience 140:1067-77

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