Publications
Persistent inflammation selectively activates opioid-sensitive phasic-firing neurons within the vlPAG
McPherson, K.B., Bouchet, C.A., Coutens, B., Ingram, S.L. (2023). J Neurophysiol., Apr 19. PMCID: PMC10202481.
The periaqueductal gray is an integration area for cortical and subcortical brain areas involved in pain modulation. This manuscript found that inflammation induces changes in intrinsic firing of a subpopulation of neurons that are hyperpolarized by opioids. Further study of how inflammation alters firing of these neurons will lead to novel pain therapeutics.
Monoacylglycerol lipase protects the presynaptic cannabinoid 1 receptor from desensitization by endocannabinoids after persistent inflammation
Bouchet, C.A., McPherson, K.B., Coutens, B., Janowsky, A., Ingram, S.L. (2023). J Neurosci. 2023 Jul 26;43(30):5458-5467. PMCID: PMC10376933.
This paper provides evidence for the regulation of endocannabinoids by inflammation and resulting loss of cannabinoid receptor 1 from presynaptic terminals in the descending pain modulatory pathway.
Key differences in regulation of opioid receptors localized to presynaptic terminals compared to somas: Relevance for novel therapeutics.
Coutens B, Ingram SL. Neuropharmacology. 2023 Mar 15;226:109408. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109408. Epub 2022 Dec 28.; PMCID: PMC9898207.
This review covers differences in regulation of opioid receptors localized to different locations in multiple brain circuits related to pain and drug addiction. These differences in regulation have important implications for the development of novel pain and addiction therapeutics.
Ingram Laboratory | Department of Anesthesiology | University of Colorado
Ingram Laboratory
Department of Anesthesiology
University of Colorado