| Room 209 (Washington DC Convention Center) | |||
| Neurotrophic Growth Factors and Pain Signaling | |||
| Neurotrophic growth factors in the neurotrophin and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family are recognized as important regulators of developing sensory systems. What is also clear is that these small proteins also influence the plasticity and sensitivity of the adult sensory system as well. The role of growth factors in pain signaling is the topic of the three presentations of this symposium. Kathryn Albers, Ph.D. will describe studies that examine the effect of the GDNF family member artemin on sensory neuron gene expression and sensitivity using in vivo and in vitro models. Artemin modulates response properties of neurons that also express the NGF receptor tyrosine kinase, trkA. NGF signaling has been shown to have a central role in pain mechanisms. David Shelton, Ph.D. will present work being done on the clinical use of drugs that reduce pain through peripheral administration of NGF antagonists. NGF is the founding member of the neurotrophin family that also includes BDNF, NT3 and NT4. Ke Ren, Ph.D. will discuss his studies of the role of BDNF and its receptor trkB in supraspinal systems. He will describe a novel mechanism in which BDNF and trkB signaling have been shown to contribute to descending pain facilitation. | |||
| Moderator: | Kathryn M. Albers, PhD | ||
| Presenters: | David L. Shelton, PhD Ke Ren, MD, PHD | ||
| Neurotrophic Growth Factors and Pain Signaling Kathryn M. Albers, PhD | |||
| Neurotrophic Growth Factors and Pain Signaling-1 David L. Shelton, PhD | |||
| Supraspinal brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling in descending pain facilitation Ke Ren, MD, PhD | |||
[Handout]
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