Dental pain is a complex sensation requiring the processing and integration of neural information at several levels of the central nervous system. Unlike other cutaneous and visceral structures, the natural stimulation of the tooth pulp or surrounding dentin produces sensations which are perceived predominately as painful. This unique sensory aspect of teeth suggests that studies designed to assess the processing of sensory information from dentin and the tooth pulp will provide useful insights into the neural mechanisms that produce pain. Neuroanatomical and electrophysiological procedures will be used to identify the somatotopic and functional representation of the dentition within the trigeminal nuclear complex. Nociresponsive trigeminal regions activated by procedures which selectively activate either A-delta or C- fibers innervating the maxillary canine will also be identified. A separate series of studies will examine the ability of morphine to produce dose-dependent, opioid-receptor mediated changes in measures of synaptic activity in response to procedures which selectively activate either A-delta or C-fiber nociceptors innervating the maxillary canine. The outcomes of these studies are consistent with the long term goals of this research program since they will advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the coding and modulation of neuronal responses to noxious orofacial stimulation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DE011661-03
Application #
2713280
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDE1-PW (25))
Project Start
1996-06-01
Project End
2000-05-31
Budget Start
1998-06-01
Budget End
1999-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Dentistry
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
078861598
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Ahn, Dong K; Monbureau, Ollie; Narhi, Matti et al. (2012) A novel computerized system for thermal stimulation of tooth in ferrets. J Neurosci Methods 203:305-10
Ahn, D K; Doutova, E A; McNaughton, K et al. (2012) Functional properties of tooth pulp neurons responding to thermal stimulation. J Dent Res 91:401-6
Chattipakorn, Siriporn Chattipakorn; Sigurdsson, Asgeir; Light, Alan R et al. (2002) Trigeminal c-Fos expression and behavioral responses to pulpal inflammation in ferrets. Pain 99:61-9
Fu, K Y; Light, A R; Maixner, W (2000) Relationship between nociceptor activity, peripheral edema, spinal microglial activation and long-term hyperalgesia induced by formalin. Neuroscience 101:1127-35
Cano, G; Arcaya, J L; Gomez, G et al. (1999) Multiphasic morphine modulation of substance P release from capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent fibers. Neurochem Res 24:1203-7
Chattipakorn, S C; Light, A R; Willcockson, H H et al. (1999) The effect of fentanyl on c-fos expression in the trigeminal brainstem complex produced by pulpal heat stimulation in the ferret. Pain 82:207-15
Fu, K Y; Light, A R; Matsushima, G K et al. (1999) Microglial reactions after subcutaneous formalin injection into the rat hind paw. Brain Res 825:59-67