Neurofibromatosis and the Painful Neuroma

Abstract

Pain is a common and distressing symptom that impacts the quality of life of many patients with neurofibromatosis. The pain is often due to the formation of a neuroma. To understand better how neuromas cause pain and what treatments may be provided, we have developed an animal model of a painful neuroma. The tibial neuroma transposition (TNT) model has been confirmed as a model of neuropathic pain. The TNT model has been established as reliable and valid (Specific Aim 1). In the TNT model, the neuroma test-site mechanosensitivity is dependent on neural input from the tibial neuroma. In the TNT model, hindpaw mechanical hyperalgesia is independent of input from the tibial neuroma. We have altered the formation of a neuroma by applying a toxin that is retrogradely transported (suicide transport) leading to neuronal death and axonal death (Specific Aim 2). This technique is now being refined using target-specific toxins and examining subsequent pain behaviour (Specific aim 3).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA504026

Entities

People

  • Allan J. Belzberg
  • B. Murrinson
  • Larry Chen
  • R. Meyer

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical Research
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Connective Tissue
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Information Operations
  • Neoplasms
  • Nerves
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Neuroma
  • Neuromuscular Diseases
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Toxins
  • Transport Ships

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.