BDNF as a modulator of the regulatory system for ascending pathway of pain

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K07260
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 48010:Anatomy-related
• Research Institution: Hyogo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Kimiko 兵庫医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (70418961)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 脊髄後角 / 脳由来神経成長因子 / 投射ニューロン / 腕傍核

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serves as a neurotransmitter modulator. In the neuropathic pain model, BDNF in the spinal dorsal horn has been recently considered to play a crucial role in the sensitization of dorsal horn neurons leading to mechanical allodynia. However, the cellular distribution of BDNF in the spinal cord has remains unclear. Therefore, we defined the precise expression of BDNF mRNA in the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury and peripheral inflammation. BDNF mRNA signals greatly increased in the spinal projection neurons but not glia, suggesting its involvement in the ascending regulation of pain.

Free Research Field

神経科学、疼痛学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

BDNFと痛みについては末梢神経損傷後にDRGで増加するBDNF、マイクログリアで増加するBDNFといった報告が多数なされているが、上行性の制御に関与することは新しい発見である。疼痛の最も悲劇的な結果である抑鬱症状および疼痛カタストロフィーの治療対象として、上行性入力としてBDNFの関与を明らかにすることで、痛みや、痛みが引き起こす抑鬱に対する早期の対応方法の発見に繋がると考える。