The influence of anxiety on functional connectivity of brain circuits and endogenous inhibitory control systems in a model of osteoarthritis pain

School of Life Sciences
PhD Research Studentship

Clinical studies have demonstrated that negative affect (anxiety, depression and catastrophizing tendencies) are associated with increased pain in osteoarthritis sufferers. We have back-translated this clinical observation by combining a high anxiety strain of rats with an established model of OA pain so that we can investigate the mechanisms underlying this important clinical observation. This project will use pain behavioural measures, neurophysiological measures and fMRI to investigate the influence of heightened innate anxiety on regional brain activation and functional connectivity between brain regions activated following painful stimulation in established models of OA pain. The contribution of altered endogenous opioidergic control of nociception to high anxiety OA pain will also be studied. This project will be embedded within the Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/paincentre) and will provide comprehensive skills and training to students embarking on a career in life science research.

This project will be jointly supervised by Prof Vicky Chapman, Prof Dorothee Auer and Dr Gareth Hathway (for more details see: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/life-sciences).

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Vicky Chapman. Email: [Email Address Removed]

Applications, with a detailed CV and the names and addresses of 2 referees, should be sent as soon as possible to Prof Vicky Chapman, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH quoting ref: MRC Studentship. Studentship available until filled.