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Brainstem Trigeminal Mechanisms of Orofacial Pain

Award Number: R03NS126987
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

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Brainstem Trigeminal Mechanisms of Orofacial Pain - Abstract One of the most common causes of chronic pain, is orofacial pain which has a prevalence of 10-15% in the adult population which increases with age and is more common in women with a significant societal impact. Individuals who experience orofacial pain often do so with no obvious underlying tissue damage. This suggests that their pain is likely due to dysfunction in central pain processing circuitry. We have identified a knockout mouse (Prrxl1 KO) that has chronic orofacial pain, which we will utilize to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying the condition as a necessary step towards targeted therapeutic interventions. Prrxl1 KO mice lack the typical patterning associated with whisker inputs in the trigeminal system. Our preliminary results have revelated that Prrxl1 KO mice posses a facial hyperalgesia and a somatic hypoaglgesia while also displaying excessive facial grooming and feeding issues consistent with a chronic trigeminally medicated orofacial pain. In the first aim we will characterize the behavioral issues experience by the Prrxl1 KO mice via probing with von Frey elements, utilization of a Peltier device and direct applied pressure to the face in Prrxl1KO mice, barrelless mice (which lack cortical patterning) and wild-type animals. Additional home-cage videography will allow for facial grimace and grooming measurements. Responses in the absence and the presence of an analgesic will be compared. The second aim will focus on neurophysiological responses from single neurons in the principle sensory nucleus of the trigeminal (PrV) and the spinal trigeminal nucleus (SpV) in response to mechanical and thermal stimuli to begin to elucidate the neural circuitry underlying orofacial pain.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$557 )
2025	2023	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	6530 KISSENA BLVD	FLUSHING	NY	11367	QUEENS	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	6/18/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$557
														Subtotal = -$557

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $77,000 )
2023	2023	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	65-30 KISSENA BLVD	FLUSHING	NY	11367	QUEENS	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	3/20/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$77,000
														Subtotal = $77,000

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $77,000 )
2022	2022	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	65-30 KISSENA BLVD	FLUSHING	NY	11367	QUEENS	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	3/30/2022	NEW	$77,000
														Subtotal = $77,000

Grand Total All Awards = $153,443

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Brainstem Trigeminal Mechanisms of Orofacial Pain

Award Number: R03NS126987

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

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