Physiology

BRADLEY K. TAYLOR, Ph.D. Professor Ph.D. University of California, San Francisco Office: MS-605 Medical Center 0298 Tel: (859) 323-1870 E-mail: brad.taylor@uky.edu

Contribution of CNS neuropeptide Y receptors and nuclear hormone receptors (e.g. Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors) to chronic pain control

We currently evaluate the effects of injury or analgesic drugs on NPY receptor and PPAR expression (using immunocytochemistry, ELISA, western blot and EMSA), neurotransmitter release (using in vivo microdialysis), spinal neuron gene expression (using Fos immunohistochemistry) and/or behavior. We also use conditional deletion mutants (antibiotic-induced knockdown of NPY).

Contribution of the brain to spinal nociceptive signaling.

To evaluate the contribution of the amygdala, locus coeruleus, and rostral medulla to spinal pain signaling, we are currently using western blot, gene transfer (HSV-viral vectors or siRNA), stereotaxic surgery and behavioral techniques. We find that pharmacological inhibition of these brain centers inhibits hyperalgesia and allodynia, suggesting that they may be important targets for future analgesic drugs. We hypothesize that in the setting of peripheral nerve injury, descending facilitatory influences from the brain are required for the expression of neuropathic pain. To test this, we are developing new rodent models to assess emotional-cognitive processing in the setting of chronic pain.

Relationship between chronic pain and hypertension.

This long-standing project tests the hypothesis that chronic pain and hypertension share common, interactive molecular mechanisms. To address such linkage, we evaluate pain behavior in hypertensive rats, and we evaluate blood pressure in animal models of chronic pain.

Lab Personnel

• Soma Bose, MS, Pr. Research Analyst
• Gregory Corder, BS, Graduate Student
• Renee Donahue, MS, Scientist II
• Suzanne Doolen, PhD, Assistant Research Professor
• Ryan Griggs, BS, Graduate Student
• Felipe Porto, DDS, MS, Visiting (postdoctoral) Scholar
• Elizabeth Rahn, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar
• Brian Solway, BS, Graduate Student

Recent Publications

Morgenweck, J., Abdel-Aleem, O., McNamara, K.C., Donahue, R.R., Badr, M.Z., and Taylor, B.K. Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? in brain inhibits cutaneous edema and inflammatory pain. Neuropharmacology 58:337-45 (2010). Epub 2009 Nov3. PMCID: 2813335.

Corder., G., Siegel, A., Intondi, A.B., Zhang, X., Zadina, J.E., and Taylor, B.K. A novel method to quantify histochemical changes throughout the mediolateral axis of the substantia gelatinosa after spared nerve injury: characterization with TRPV1 and substance P. Journal of Pain 11:388-98 (2010).

Intondi, A.B., Zadina, J.E., Zhang, X., and Taylor, B.K. Topography and time course of changes in spinal neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity after spared nerve injury. Neuroscience 165:914-22 (2010). Epub 2009 Oct29. PMCID:2815121.

Gould, H.J., Garrett, C., Donahue, R.R., Paul, D., Diamond, I., and Taylor, B.K. Ranolazine attenuates behavioral signs of neuropathic pain. Behav. Pharmacol. (Epub 2009 Sep21).

Brightwell, J.J. and Taylor, B.K. Noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus contribute to neuropathic pain. Neuroscience 160:174-85 (2009). Epub 2009 Feb14 PMCID:2677992.

Taylor, B.K. Spinal inhibitory neurotransmission in neuropathic pain. Current Pain and Headache Reports 13:208-14 (2009). PMCID: 2793101.

Fehrenbacher, J.C., LoVerme, J., Clarke, W., Hargreaves, K.M., Piomelli, D., and Taylor, B.K. Rapid Pain Modulation with Nuclear Receptor Ligands. Brain Res Rev 60:114-124 (2009).

Active Research Funding

R01 NS62306; NINDS/NIH
R01 NS45954; NINDS/NIH
K02 DA19656; NIDA/NIH
F31 NS57928; NINDS/NIH
S10 RR27400; NCRR/NIH

Other Publications