CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
GONADAL HORMONE MODULATION OF TRIGEMINAL PAIN
About 25% of the population suffers from craniofacial pain influenced by the trigeminal neurosensory system, with conditions like migraine and temporomandibular pain disorders (TMDs) being more prevalent in women. We hypothesize that this increased prevalence may be linked to hormonal modulation of trigeminal pain mechanisms in females. Our current research focuses on the impact of gonadal hormones on the peripheral serotonergic system and trigeminal sensory neurons in both rats and human tissues. This study is essential for understanding how hormones might affect the pronociceptive activity of peripheral serotonin, as well as the sexually dimorphic effects of stress on trigeminal pain behaviors and neurocircuitry. Supported by NIDCR R15 DE025970 to Averitt and F31 DE031959 to Cantu.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN NEUROIMMUNE MODULATION OF TRIGEMINAL SENSORY NEURONS
Many studies suggest a significant serotonergic pain mechanism in craniofacial pain disorders, but the reason for the higher prevalence in females remains unclear. Fluctuations in estradiol (E2) during the rodent estrous cycle, which parallels the human menstrual cycle, intensify 5HT-induced thermal hyperalgesia. Given that macrophages express both classical estrogen receptor subtypes (ERα and ERβ) and the membrane-bound G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), it's possible that these cells are affected by changing E2 levels. Consequently, E2 might influence the role of macrophages in initiating or sustaining the neuroinflammation seen in sex-specific chronic orofacial pain disorders, particularly temporomandibular disorders (TMD). We are currently investigating whether E2 impacts neuroimmune interactions within the trigeminal system, contributing to sex differences in mechanical allodynia in a rodent model of TMD pain. This research is funded by NIDCR R15 DE025970-02 to Averitt.
BURN PAIN MECHANISMS AND NON-OPIOID ANALGESIA
Pain management for burn injuries is often inadequate, and the mechanisms behind the chronic nature of burn pain are not well understood. Opioids have served as effective analgesics for many years, but their use in chronic pain patients is limited by various negative effects on the central nervous system. Our research aims to discover and develop non-opioid pain medications that can be applied directly at the injury site for peripheral analgesia. Currently, we are investigating Euphorbia bicolor, a plant native to the Southeastern U.S., and have found that its analgesic effects are multimodal, involving at least three mechanisms essential for managing chronic pain without targeting opioid receptors. We are actively working to identify the phytochemicals that could lead to new non-opioid analgesics. This research is conducted in collaboration with plant biochemist Camelia Maier, Ph.D. (TWU).
