Abstract

The underlying objective of the proposed research is to test the hypothesis that the antinociception of pregnancy and hormonally-simulated pregnancy (HSP) is mediated by a multiplicative interaction between spinal kappa and delta opioid systems and between these systems and descending noradrenergic pathways. The specific objectives are to (1) determine if the analgesia of pregnancy and HSP consists of the sum of separate, independent spinal cord analgesic systems or if it requires their concomitant activation; (2) determine if the antinociception of pregnancy and HSP is mediated in part by increased spinal kappa and delta receptor density and/or distribution; (3) determine if enhanced spinal noradrenergic tone is necessary for a substantial component of pregnancy analgesia and if this influence is mediated by the hypogastric nerve; and (4) determine if the newly-discovered spinal ORL1/nociceptin hypoanalgesic system modulates analgesia of pregnancy and HSP. All-in-all, this research should elucidate the component of the intrinsic pain-attenuating system that is activated during gestation and could provide a basis developing interventions for the management of pain in pregnancy and childbirth.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD018448-10
Application #
2888889
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG2-BPO (01))
Program Officer
Ilekis, John V
Project Start
1983-12-01
Project End
2001-08-31
Budget Start
1999-09-01
Budget End
2000-08-31
Support Year
10
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Suny Downstate Medical Center
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Brooklyn
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11203