Future Leaders in Pain Research

2005 Grant Recipient: Susan G. Dorsey, PhD MS

University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Nursing
Baltimore, MD
Development of a Mouse Model of HIV Therapy-Induced Painful Peripheral Neuropathy

Please state which institution you are currently conducting research.

University of Maryland Baltimore

How did receiving the Future Leaders in Pain Research Grant Impact your career in pain research?

It was incredibly helpful to jumpstart my work and obtain preliminary data in support of an R01 application that was successfully funded.

What is your current research focus? Briefly describe the importance of this work and how it advances the APS goals, mission, and your own personal development.

I am studying the regulation of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor signaling in the development and persistence of chronic pain. We have several R01-funded projects, including the role for epigenetic modifications of BDNF in susceptibility to develop chronic pain, the role for the truncated isoform of the BDNF receptor, trkB.T1, in spinal cord injury pain and locomotor recovery, and how BDNF signaling contributes to allodynia in a mouse model of antiretroviral-induced mechanical allodynia. We believe that BDNF and its receptors represent therapeutic targets for the relief of chronic pain, which fits well with APS goals, mission, and the development of my long term program of research.

Are you still an APS member? If yes, do you feel that it has been of value to your professional development?

I am still a member of APS and feel that it provides tremendous value.