Research highlights and societal impact

Our research teams focus on understanding the mechanisms of adaptations (plasticity) in neurons and synapses that develop as a result of pathological insults, particularly persistent pain states and drug addiction. Our goal is to understand key neural targets that contribute to the pathology of these "plasticity" diseases of the brain. This work is being undertaken by integrating molecular and cellular physiological methods in nerve cells that form pain transmission and motivational pathways with animal behavioural models of these diseases. Understanding of the mechanisms of pathological plasticity in nerves and synapses in these neural systems in response to nerve injury or prolonged addicitve drug exposure not only advances knowledge of how the brain adapts to insult but provides new therapeutic opportunities for these largely intractable brain diseases.

In a national and international collaborative program we are developing new medications (conopeptides) for treating acute and chronic pain conditions. As we find potential plasticity targets including novel subtypes of ion channels, conopeptide molceules that interact very specifically with these molecules in pathologically altered pain pathways are identified and developed.

Our research also focuses on the mechanisms of tolerance and dependence to addictive drugs that develops in brain neurons involved in pain pathways during chronic therapy. Long-term medication with opioids or abuse produces tolerance, physical dependence and (in some people) addiction. We are determining the mechanisms by which membrane proteins in neurons and synapses drives loss of resposiveness to these drugs and excessive excitation of nerve cells during opioid withdrawal. In future, new drugs that target these molecule may in lessen opioid tolerance, alleviate withdrawal, or even assist with recovery from opioid addiction.