Neuronal network analysis of somatosensory circuits – regulation and transmission of pain and itch

Persistent pain and itch affect a large part of the population.

Persistent itch is a major symptom in conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, where itch is ranked as one of the most debilitating symptoms. Persistent pain is today a medical and social problem on a global scale.

Patients with persistent pain not only suffer from hypersensitivity and spontaneous pain sensations, ongoing pain also changes the behavioural pattern of the patient, which can results in depression and social isolation.

The theory of modality-specific pathways for pain and itch is based on population coding, where defined cell types convey different sensations of pain and itch and cross-talk at spinal level.

We aim to identify these neuronal pathways in the spinal cord that allow us to discriminate between for instance noxious pain and itch.More specifically, in this four year project we aim to; generate a scRNAseq-based atlas of spinal projections neurons, identify which interneurons and primary afferent cell-types that contact projection neurons, which projection neurons/interneurons that are involved in acute noxious heat, heat hypersensitivity, mechanical hypersensitivity, acute chemical itch, and scratching.

We will also focus specifically on the glycinergic system in the spinal cord that can regulate/inhibit itch and hypersensitivity.We will combine state-of-the-art techniques such as viral tracing, and in situ sequencing with sensory behavioral analysis to fulfill our aims.