Project Summary

Mark J. Zylka , Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, plans to study in an animal model the relationship between chronic pain and psychiatric disorders by focusing on a gene that seems to link both conditions. Chronic pain is absolutely debilitating, with patients suffering physically and experiencing anxiety and depression. In some cases, chronic pain can be effectively reduced with drugs that treat anxiety and depression. These clinical findings strongly suggest that pain and psychiatric disorders are interrelated. Recently, Dr. Zylka conducted experiments with transgenic mice and found that a major pain-sensing circuit, marked by the receptor Mrgprd, communicates with the emotional and affective regions of the brain. Since these same regions are also implicated in anxiety and depression, Dr. Zylka believes he may have found a neurobiological link between pain, anxiety, and depression. To explore this possibility further, he will study transgenic animals missing the Mrgprd pain-sensing circuit. He wants to determine if these mice are less prone to developing anxiety-, depression-, or other psychiatric disorder-like behaviors. He also will identify and test a variety of drugs that modulate the Mrgprd pain-sensing circuits. Findings may lead to anxiety and depression that interfere with the perception of physical stress.

Program Area: MULTIPLE FOCUS\Anxiety Disorders/Mood Disorders\Anxiety Disorders/Unipolar

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