Cellular metabolite profile analysis in neuropathic pain

• Grant number: 18/05102-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: October 01, 2018
• End date: August 09, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - General Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Mattar Cunha
• Grantee: Lucas Maciel Mauriz Marques
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/08216-2 - CRID - Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Neuropathic pain, which results from injury or disease affecting the somatosensory system, is among the most common types of chronic pain that are difficult to treat. Recent epidemiological studies show that its overall prevalence is up to 8%. Treatment options are limited, associated with undesirable and serious side effects that rarely offer complete therapeutic relief. Its pathogenesis is complex, involving several signaling pathways, stimulation of transcription factors and production of inflammatory cytokines. Its molecular etiology is still unclear, and misunderstanding of its chemical base limits the development of an effective treatment.Intellectual merit: This project aims to develop an integrated work strategy, by means of analytical methods development and validation employing the metabolomic approach, aiming the identification of biomarkers involved in neurophatic pain.Impact: In the context of metabolomics, development and application of analytical methods for the identification and quantification of neurophatic pain biomarkers (qualitative and quantitative determination of metabolic content) and how this may influence the discovery of new targets for modulation of deregulated routes and in the monitoring of treatment and/or pathological condition.Integration: This proposal is mainly multidisciplinary and the integrative aspect will involve researchers from different fields, under different knowledge areas with a common goal: Identification of neurophatic pain characteristic biomarkers.