Functional magnetic resonance imaging of itch and heat pain pathways in the mouse

National Center For Complementary & Integrative Health

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The first component of this project has been halted, as despite initial promising results, we have been unable to generate a replicable and reliable arterial spin labeling signal in response to painful stimuli in mice. We have explored multiple avenues to trouble-shoot and address issues, but unfortunately we believe the project has too many technically challenging issues to be pursued at this point. However, we have gained a lot of invaluable information about the effects of anesthetics, and alpha chloralose, on the physiology of mice over the course of up to two hours. This information will be useful to all investigators wishing to perform scanning studies, or any studies involving anesthesia, on the mouse. This data was prepared and published in PLOS ONE in 2016. PMID: 27148970. Data derived from his study has also lead to a recent publication focussing on itch contagion (Science, 2017. 357(6347)) The second component of this study, regarding stress resilience, is in progress. Preliminary results indicate that resilience may be an important aspect of nociceptive and affective outcomes in persistent pain states.