Multiscale analysis of structural plasticity in secondary motor cortex (B08)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: since 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 255156212

Long-lasting structural changes in neocortical areas may contribute to chronic pain. We found that spared nerve injury (SNI) resulted in a loss of neurons in the medial aspect of the secondary motor cortex (M2), thereby introducing neuronal loss as a new mechanism in chronic pain and M2 as a cortical region not previously associated with pain. We now aim at elucidating further the mechanisms underlying neuronal loss and to assess the effect of non-invasive brain stimulation such as transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation in interfering with neuronal loss when applied directly after the injury. Furthermore, we will test if grafting of iPSC-derived neurons into M2 can substitute for neuronal loss and thereby alleviate chronic pain.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1158: From nociception to chronic pain: Structure-function properties of neural pathways and their reorganisation
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Dr. Vijayan Gangadharan, until 4/2024; Professor Dr. Thomas Kuner; Dr. Wolfgang Weber-Fahr, until 6/2023