Objective
Chronic pain syndromes are to a large extent due to maladaptive plastic changes in the CNS. A CNS area particularly relevant for such changes is the spinal dorsal horn, where inputs from nociceptive and non-nociceptive fibers undergo their first synaptic integration. This area harbors a sophisticated network of interneurons, which function as a gate-control unit for incoming sensory signals. Several different types of interneurons can be distinguished based e.g. on their neurotransmitter and neuropeptide content. Despite more than 40 years of research, our knowledge about the integration of these neurons in dorsal horn circuits and their contribution to sensory processing is still very limited. This proposal aims at a comprehensive characterization of the dorsal horn neuronal network under normal conditions and in chronic pain states with a focus on inhibitory interneurons. A genome-wide analysis of the gene expression profile shall be made from defined dorsal horn interneurons genetically tagged with fluorescent markers and isolated by fluorescence activated cell sorting. A functional characterization of the connectivity of these neurons in spinal cord slices and of their role in in vivo sensory processing shall be achieved with optogenetic tools (channelrhodopsin-2), which permit activation of these neurons with light. Finally, behavioral analyses shall be made in mice after diphteria toxin-mediated ablation of defined interneuron types. All three approaches shall be applied to naïve mice and to mice with inflammatory or neuropathic pain. The results from these studies will improve our understanding of the malfunctioning of sensory processing in chronic pain states and will provide the basis for novel approaches to the prevention or reversal of chronic pain states.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2009-AdG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
8006 ZURICH
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.