Can gutamate control pain of oral sensation?

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17100
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Dental College
• Principal Investigator: NISHIAMA AKIHIRO 東京歯科大学, 歯学部, 講師 (80550128)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Glutamate / 口腔感覚 / 三叉神経 / TRPチャネル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The pain in the oral regopn has been reported to be influenced by various factors. These causes are considered to be peripheral or central (central sensitization), as well as receptors and metabolites in various organs. Our basic research (in vitro) has reported that glutamate is involved in the regulation of oral sensation (pain). Additionally, it was reported at a conference that CGRP receptors present in peripheral blood vessels and the trigeminal nerve are related to pain in the oral cavity. This result suggests that paracrine or autocrine mechanisms involving peripheral nerves and microvessels induce pain.

Free Research Field

神経生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は口腔感覚、特に末梢神経を含めた微小環境における痛みの制御について研究を進めた。痛みを焦点にした微小血管と末梢神経とのコミュニケーションを確立することで、神経障害性疼痛のような原因が解明されていない末梢での痛みの治療の基盤となることが期待される。末梢の知覚神経を想定した研究であるため、口腔領域に限らず全身の末梢で発症する神経関連の痛みに応用できると考えている。