Kenny M. Roman, PhD

Grant Number: 5K01DK114395: Transition from Acute to Chronic Pelvic Pain in a Murine Model of Chronic Prostatitis, NIDDK Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01)
The proposed project will establish a link between activation of the mTOR pathway and changes to neurobiological and neuroinflammatory systems in relevant cortices during the transition from acute to chronic pelvic pain in an autoimmune mouse model of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) called experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP). Studies published by the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) research network and others showed that the insular cortex is impaired in patients with CP/CPPS. Interestingly, data suggests that mTOR activity is elevated in the insula and anterior cingulate cortex of mice with neuropathic pain. However, the intracellular signaling mechanisms and cell types that influence changes in specific cortices during the transition from acute to chronic pelvic pain have not been fully explored in CP/CPPS. Therefore, the long-term goal of this project is to identify the mTOR pathway as a signaling mechanism that mediates the transition from acute to chronic pelvic in relevant brain cortices due to neuro-glia interactions in mice with EAP. Successful completion of the research aims will lead to improved treatment options and expand our understanding of the mechanisms that initiate and maintain symptoms associated with CP/CPPS.