Novel Sodium Channel Blockers
Evaluation of Novel Sodium Channel Blockers for 1) Minimising Axonal Damage & 2) Relieving Neuropathic Pain in Rat Models of Spinal Cord Trauma
Chief Investigator: Professor Bevyn Jarrott
Associate Investigator: Mr Robert Weston
Lead Organisation: Howard Florey Institute
VNI Funding: $126,341
Project Start Date: 01-Dec-06
Project Summary:
Each year in Australia, approximately 300-400 new cases of spinal cord injury occur. The 15-34 year age group accounts for half the cases of spinal cord injury from trauma, leading to decades of disability and discomfort. The ongoing cost of long-term care for this cohort is approximately $400 million per annum. Whilst the most common clinical symptom is incomplete tetraplegia, surveys of affected individuals have shown that neuropathic pain was the most common complaint followed by disturbances to bladder function and then to respiratory function. The purpose of this study is to determine whether novel drugs, developed at the Howard Florey Institute, are able to reduce loss of nerves and loss of movement in rat models of acute spinal cord injury. This study also aims to determine whether these novel drugs are able to reduce or block central neuropathic pain in rat models of chronic spinal cord injury.
This project has been completed. Read the final summary.
