Browsing by Author "Ozaki, Tomoka"

This thesis explores the relationship between neuropathic pain and the circadian clock through the investigation of GSK4112 administration to a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain, arising from a lesion or disease of the somatosensory system, historically posed treatment challenges due to narrow research approaches focusing solely on the pain system. Recent insights highlight connections between neuropathic pain and the circadian clock, including circadian rhythmicity in neuropathic pain and shared genetic expressions and pathways. The study aimed to investigate the effects of GSK4112, an agonist of Rev-erbα and a small molecule modulator of the circadian clock. This was done through a blinded experiment design in mice modelling neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury. The study involved tracking locomotive activity to assess alterations in circadian rhythm and infer effects on the circadian clock. In addition, behavioural tests that measure mechanical and thermal sensitivity were employed to investigate the potential analgesic effects of GSK4112 administration. As a result, no change to circadian activity or mechanical and thermal sensitivity was observed as a result of GSK4112 administration to mice with spared nerve injury.