Study on the function of D-serine of synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K16462
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55050:Anesthesiology-related
• Research Institution: Dokkyo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: KATO EIKO 獨協医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (10721897)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 神経障害性痛 / D-セリン / 脊髄後角シナプス / NMDA受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present analysis showed the following:
1) The NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission was altered in the SDH of the intact SR-KO mice. The synaptic charge transferred during NMDA-EPSC was significantly larger in SR-KO mice than WT mice. 2) Behavioral observations showed the mechanical allodynia in the Chung model was significantly augmented in SR-KO mice compared with WT mice. 3)The synaptic charge transferred during NMDA-EPSC was increased in the nerve-ligated SR-KO mice compared to the intact SR-KO mice.

Free Research Field

神経生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

神経障害性痛は多様な症状を引き起こす難治性の慢性疼痛であり、神経障害性痛の発症メカニズムの解明とその鎮痛法の開発は世界的に重要な課題である。本研究では、SR-KOマウスを用い、内因性D-セリンが神経障害性痛の発症にどのように機能しているか、脊髄における機能をシナプス伝達レベルで電気生理学的に明らかにした。この研究成果は神経障害性痛の発症機序解明に有用な結果をもたらし、既存の鎮痛法に抵抗性である難治性疼痛の新たな治療法の開発に貢献すると考えられる。