Characterizing BDNF Expression and Glial Cells in the Comorbidity between Chronic Pain and Depression
Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Acute pain is adaptive and important for survival, but lingering pain can transition to a maladaptive state and become chronic. Chronic pain affects many people, a high proportion of those being women, who also suffer from comorbid conditions such as depression. As such, it is important to understand and study the molecular mechanisms of chronic pain and associated depression, in both males and females, in order to create new treatments and pain management methods. This thesis used a mouse model of chronic neuropathic pain and measured depressive-like behaviours and brain changes in both male and female mice. Specifically, I characterized the changes in relative BDNF expression and activation of microglia and astrocytes in various pain and affect related brain regions. Results from this thesis may be useful in directing future functional studies to manipulate BDNF, microglia and/or astrocytes to elucidate their role in the comorbidity between chronic pain and depression.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Vassilia Michailidis
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3092267415