Combining functional magnetic resonance imaging with mouse genomics: new options in pain research.
This functional magnetic imaging study investigated the functional implications of genetic modification and pharmacological intervention on cerebral processing of heat-induced nociception in mice. Comparing dynorphin-overexpressing dream(-/-) with wild-type mice, smaller activated cortical and limbic brain structure sizes could be observed. Moreover, significantly reduced blood oxygenation level-dependent signal amplitudes were found in pain-related brain structures: sensory input, thalamic regions, sensory cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, hypothalamus and periaqueductal grey. Administration of the specific kappa-opioid-receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine to dream(-/-) mice reversed this reduction to wild-type level in the same brain structures. These results show that blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic imaging in the pain system of (transgenic) mice is feasible. Genetic modifications and pharmacological interventions modify brain responses in a structure-specific manner.
Heindl-Erdmann
Cornelia
C
Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Axmann
Roland
R
Kreitz
Silke
S
Zwerina
Jochen
J
Penninger
Josef
J
Schett
Georg
G
Brune
Kay
K
Hess
Andreas
A
D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D051605:Kv Channel-Interacting Proteins / Q000172:deficiency; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000172:deficiency
C496756:Csen protein, mouse; D051605:Kv Channel-Interacting Proteins; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C051844:norbinaltorphimine; D009271:Naltrexone; D010100:Oxygen