A fundamental study aiming development of molecular diagnosis for neuropathic pain

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670286
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pain science
• Research Institution: Sapporo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Kokai Yasuo 札幌医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (20178239)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 神経障害性疼痛 / 慢性複合性疼痛 / CRPS / メタロチオネイン / 酸化ストレス / 外傷

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Although CRPS accompanied a severe uncontrollable pain on a given tissue with a syndrome on autonomic nervous system. This highlight the characteristics of CRPS as not only pain syndrome but also suggesting an involvement of systematic control mechanism in the affected individual. The identification of metallothionein deficiency in the affected peripheral nerves has opened up a new paradigm in this field. This is the first example that an evidence for molecular changes and identification of particular protein molecule in the CRPS nerve tissues. In this proposal, we took advantage of proteomics to detect more proteins changes in the peripheral nerve tissues of CRPS in comparison with intact sensory nerves obtained from fresh cadaver. Using antibody array for proteomic analysis, we found a novel involvement of NGF system in CRPS. Using these new information, we are now trying to establish objective diagnosis system for neuropathic pain including CRPS.

Free Research Field

病理学