We have several general areas of research being investigated in our laboratory. Students would have the opportunity to work on any of the projects outlined below.

1. Basic neuroscience research examining the biology underlying pain induced by exercise in the sedentary animal. We have developed models of fatiguing exercise that enhances the pain response to a muscle insult. We have subsequently discovered areas in the brain (rostral ventromedial medulla) that mediate this interaction between fatiguing exercise and pain. We are currently investigating the neurotransmitters and receptors involved in this process using multiple techniques including animal behavior, pharmacology, immunohistochemistry and altering gene expression in vivo (knockout mice, viral delivery of RNAi or cDNA).

2. Basic neuroscience research examining the biology underlying the analgesia produced by long-term exercise. We show that chronic pain does not develop in mice that are physically active. Our studies are examining the neurobiological processes involved in the analgesia produced by exercise examining both peripheral factors at the level of the muscle and central factors in the brainstem that mediate this process. We are currently investigating the neurotransmitters and receptors involved in this process using multiple techniques including animal behavior, pharmacology, immunohistochemistry and altering gene expression in vivo (knockout mice, viral delivery of RNAi or cDNA).

3. We are examining the interaction between factors released from muscle that activate macrophages to release cytokines that subsequently activate or inhibit nociceptors. We propose that sedentary animals show enhanced release of fatigue metabolites (pH, ATP) from muscle that subsequently activate macropahges to release inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF, IL-1) that then activate nociceptors to produce pain. We further propose that physically active animals show reduced release of fatigue metabolites and increased release of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) from muscle and macrophages that inhibit nociceptors to prevent development of chronic pain. We are investigating these hypothesis by doing animal behavior and manipulating cytokines and their receptors in muscle, measuring and manipulating fatigue metabolites and their receptors, and examining effects of fatigue metabolites on macrophages and nociceptors.

4. We are doing a clinical trial in people with fibromyalgia to investigate the effectiveness of TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) for reduction in pain, improvement in function, and improvement in quality of life. We are also measuring effects of TENS on pain mechanisms in this patient population. This involves a team effort and is multifaceted with opportunities for student involvement in data collection, application of the intervention (TENS), and analysis of data.