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OHSU School of Dentistry team discovers potential new target for treating craniofacial pain problems
October 31, 2006Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University's School of Dentistry-http://www.ohsu.edu/sod-have uncovered an interaction between two proteins in the nerve cells that carry pain information from the head and neck to the brain. The finding could play a significant role in the development of therapies to cure migraines and other craniofacial pain conditions like TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 10 percent of Americans suffer from chronic pain conditions and a significant portion of them have chronic craniofacial pain.
The new discovery was published online (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04161.x) Oct. 25, 2006, in the Journal of Neurochemistry, one of the leading peer-reviewed neuroscience journals. The study also is expected to be published in the print version of the Journal of Neurochemistry within the next two weeks.
"Our discovery reveals the complexities of pain signaling mechanisms from the head and neck to the brain," said Agnieszka Balkowiec, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator, OHSU School of Dentistry assistant professor of integrative biosciences and OHSU School of Medicine adjunct assistant professor of physiology and pharmacology.
Head pain is signaled to the brain by what's known as the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve also conveys other types of sensation, such as touch and temperature, from numerous structures of the face, including skin, ears, cornea, temporomandibular joints and teeth. Studies suggest that the trigeminal nerve provides the signaling pathway for pain associated with migraines, TMJ disorder, periodontal pain, dental surgical pain, trigeminal neuralgia, head and neck cancer pain, and other neuropathic and inflammatory pain conditions.
The OHSU study focused on two trigeminal nerve cell proteins: Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP), and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Previous studies found that during a migraine attack, the stimulation of trigeminal nerve cells releases CGRP at the peripheral end of the cells, widening blood vessels in the brain coverings called meninges. Widening the blood vessels increases the flow of blood through the meninges and initiates an inflammatory process that likely contributes to the pain experience. Recent clinical studies show that blocking CGRP helps alleviate migraine pain.
The discovery by Balkowiec and her team points to BDNF being a likely culprit behind head pain-a previously unknown finding. The OHSU team found that the stimulation of trigeminal nerve cells, as experienced during a migraine attack, leads to release of not only CGRP, but also BDNF. The study also found that BDNF is released by CGRP when trigeminal nerve cells are not stimulated. In fact, said Balkowiec, CGRP's role at the central end of the trigeminal nerve cells is likely to be the facilitation of BDNF release. BDNF has previously been shown to play an important role in pain signaling from other parts of the body, but this is the first time it has been considered to be a factor in head pain.
"What we now need to better understand is how the interaction between CGRP and BDNF affects pain signaling to the brain in various disorders," said Balkowiec.
Oregon Health & Science University
Head pain is signaled to the brain by what's known as the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve also conveys other types of sensation, such as touch and temperature, from numerous structures of the face, including skin, ears, cornea, temporomandibular joints and teeth. Studies suggest that the trigeminal nerve provides the signaling pathway for pain associated with migraines, TMJ disorder, periodontal pain, dental surgical pain, trigeminal neuralgia, head and neck cancer pain, and other neuropathic and inflammatory pain conditions.
The OHSU study focused on two trigeminal nerve cell proteins: Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP), and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Previous studies found that during a migraine attack, the stimulation of trigeminal nerve cells releases CGRP at the peripheral end of the cells, widening blood vessels in the brain coverings called meninges. Widening the blood vessels increases the flow of blood through the meninges and initiates an inflammatory process that likely contributes to the pain experience. Recent clinical studies show that blocking CGRP helps alleviate migraine pain.
The discovery by Balkowiec and her team points to BDNF being a likely culprit behind head pain-a previously unknown finding. The OHSU team found that the stimulation of trigeminal nerve cells, as experienced during a migraine attack, leads to release of not only CGRP, but also BDNF. The study also found that BDNF is released by CGRP when trigeminal nerve cells are not stimulated. In fact, said Balkowiec, CGRP's role at the central end of the trigeminal nerve cells is likely to be the facilitation of BDNF release. BDNF has previously been shown to play an important role in pain signaling from other parts of the body, but this is the first time it has been considered to be a factor in head pain.
"What we now need to better understand is how the interaction between CGRP and BDNF affects pain signaling to the brain in various disorders," said Balkowiec.
Oregon Health & Science University
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Unique nerve-stimulation device proves effective against epilepsy
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OHSU School of Dentistry uncovers mechanism for dental pain
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University's School of Dentistry (www.ohsu.edu/sod) have discovered a novel function of the peptide known as Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the development of the trigeminal nerve.
Guideline: Surgery may be considered for extreme face pain
A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology finds surgery may be considered for people who suffer from extreme, electric shock-like pain in their face and do not respond well to drugs.
Irritating smells alert special cells, NIH-funded study finds
If you cook, you know. Chop an onion and you risk crying over your cutting board as a burning sensation overwhelms your eyes and nose. Scientists do not know why certain chemical odors, like onion, ammonia and paint thinner, are so highly irritating, but new research in mice has uncovered an unexpected role for specific nasal cavity cells.
Overactive nerves in head and neck may account for 'ringing in the ears'
Do your ears ring after a loud concert" Nerves that sense touch in your face and neck may be behind the racket in your brain, University of Michigan researchers say.
Scientists identify protein that may promote migraines
A University of Iowa study may provide an explanation for why some people get migraine headaches while others do not. The researchers found that too much of a small protein called RAMP1 appears to "turn up the volume" of a nerve cell receptor's response to a neuropeptide thought to cause migraines.
UCLA develops unique nerve-stimulation epilepsy treatment
A unique nerve-stimulation treatment for epilepsy developed at UCLA offers a potential new alternative for tens of thousands of individuals unable to control their seizures with medication and ineligible for surgery.
Gamma knife effective in treating trigeminal neuralgia
Research at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical has shown that Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery (GKRS) is an effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, a common condition characterized by excruciating facial pain.
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