Serotonin in Stress Indued Bladder Hypersensitivity

University Of Alabama At Birmingham, Birmingham AL

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The present set of studies seeks to determine whether serotonergic systems exert differential effects on nociceptive processing in models of deep tissue hypersensitivity. A single Specific Aim is thus proposed: To characterize the effect of stress and a systemically administered SSRI and SNRI on both bladder and somatic sensory processing in female rats with and without pristane-induced arthritis. The initial experiments will expand upon preliminary studies and will assess the effect of systemic administration of an SSRI, paroxetine, and an SNRI, milnacipram, on stress-induced bladder hypersensitivity, measured by urinary bladder distension-evoked (UBD) visceromotor reflex responses (VMRs), following chronic exposure to a psychological stressor, water avoidance. Somatic nociception and locomotion will also be measured in these animals. A second set of experiments will examine whether exposure to chronic psychological stress alters mechanical paw withdrawal threshold and locomotion in rats with pristane-induced arthritis and will ascertain the effect of both reuptake inhibitors on stress-induced changes. Nociceptive responses to bladder distension will also be measured in these animals to determine whether comorbidity with a somatic disorder alters effects of serotonin reuptake in visceral systems. The proposed studies will not only provide insight into the role of stress as a potential exacerbator of multiple types f deep tissue pain, but will also yield a better understanding of serotonergic systems related to pain modulation. By utilizing two separate animal models these studies will be some of the first to define the relationship between stress and symptom exacerbation in pains with both visceral and somatic origins. By using two different classes of drugs, these studies will give a clinically relevant comparison of currently available drug options.