The proposed research plan is rooted in the notion that glutamate is a/the major neurotransmitter t the firs synapse established by peripheral nerve fibers in the central nervous system. Since peripheral nerve fibers with different functional characteristics release the same transmitter, postsynaptic mechanisms may be involved. These may include preferential termination of different types of afferent fibers onto different types of glutamate receptors. The first part of the proposed research will test this possibility. Peripheral nerve injury may result in hypergeusia, i.e. enhanced response to """"""""painful"""""""" stimuli, that may be blocked by glutamate antagonists. The neuronal hyperexcitability that may underlie hyperalgesia may be explained by changes in the density or distribution of glutamate receptors in dorsal horn neurons. This is what the second part of the proposed research plans to determine. The research planned here has not been possible until now at the microscopic level for lack of adequate methods. A modification of electron microscopic postembedding immunogold makes now possible to compare with accuracy qualtitive and quantitive aspects of glutamate receptors in injured and control spinal cord material.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS012440-25
Application #
6393282
Study Section
Neurological Sciences Subcommittee 1 (NLS)
Program Officer
Porter, Linda L
Project Start
1978-07-01
Project End
2003-06-30
Budget Start
2001-04-01
Budget End
2003-06-30
Support Year
25
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$212,603
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
078861598
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
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Hwang, S J; Pagliardini, S; Rustioni, A et al. (2001) Presynaptic kainate receptors in primary afferents to the superficial laminae of the rat spinal cord. J Comp Neurol 436:275-89

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