Armen N. Akopian
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View article: Post-stress modulation of the HPA and melanocortin systems alleviates migraine-like behaviors in mice
Post-stress modulation of the HPA and melanocortin systems alleviates migraine-like behaviors in mice Open
Background Stress is a major trigger for migraine attacks. Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, releasing glucocorticoids (GCs) to maintain homeostasis, and migraine attacks may occur as an adverse effect of this…
View article: Innervation of Retrodiscal Tissues in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Innervation of Retrodiscal Tissues in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Open
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMJDs) are a group of musculoskeletal conditions affecting the orofacial region and often associated with facial pain. Understanding the sensory innervation of TMJ structures, particularly the retro…
View article: Identification of Sensory Fiber Types in Mouse Temporomandibular Joint Tissues
Identification of Sensory Fiber Types in Mouse Temporomandibular Joint Tissues Open
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders (TMJDs) are linked to heightened nerve sensitivity in TMJ tissues. To set the groundwork for investigating the mechanisms governing this increased responsiveness, this study aimed to identify the typ…
View article: Sensory neuron sodium channels as pain targets; from cocaine to Journavx (VX-548, suzetrigine)
Sensory neuron sodium channels as pain targets; from cocaine to Journavx (VX-548, suzetrigine) Open
Voltage-gated sodium channels underpin electrical signaling in sensory neurons. Their activity is an essential element in the vast majority of pain conditions, making them significant drug targets. Sensory neuron sodium channels play roles…
View article: Investigating Mechanically Activated Currents from Trigeminal Neurons of Nonhuman Primates
Investigating Mechanically Activated Currents from Trigeminal Neurons of Nonhuman Primates Open
Pain sensation often involves mechanical modalities. Mechanically activated (MA) ion channels on sensory neurons underly responsiveness to mechanical stimuli. MA current properties have mainly been derived from rodent sensory neurons. This…
View article: Modeling Masticatory Myalgia to Headache-like Referred Pain Triggers Local Gene Plasticity at Referred Pain Sites
Modeling Masticatory Myalgia to Headache-like Referred Pain Triggers Local Gene Plasticity at Referred Pain Sites Open
Patients with myofascial pain in the head and neck area report widespread and referred pain, including headache. Existing preclinical models fail to replicate this clinical phenotype; therefore, we aimed to develop animal models mimicking …
View article: Investigating Mechanically Activated Currents from Trigeminal Neurons of Non-Human Primates
Investigating Mechanically Activated Currents from Trigeminal Neurons of Non-Human Primates Open
Introduction Pain sensation has predominantly mechanical modalities in many pain conditions. Mechanically activated (MA) ion channels on sensory neurons underly responsiveness to mechanical stimuli. The study aimed to address gaps in knowl…
View article: Degenerative and regenerative peripheral processes are associated with persistent painful chemotherapy-induced neuropathies in males and females
Degenerative and regenerative peripheral processes are associated with persistent painful chemotherapy-induced neuropathies in males and females Open
This study aimed to investigate the time course of gene expression changes during the progression of persistent painful neuropathy caused by paclitaxel (PTX) in male and female mouse hind paws and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Bulk RNA-seq wa…
View article: Sensory innervation of masseter, temporal and lateral pterygoid muscles in common marmosets
Sensory innervation of masseter, temporal and lateral pterygoid muscles in common marmosets Open
Myogenous temporomandibular disorders is associated with an increased responsiveness of nerves innervating the masseter (MM), temporal (TM), and lateral pterygoid muscles (LPM). This study aimed to examine sensory nerve types innervating M…
View article: Transcriptional profiles of non-neuronal and immune cells in mouse trigeminal ganglia
Transcriptional profiles of non-neuronal and immune cells in mouse trigeminal ganglia Open
Non-neuronal cells constitute 90%–95% of sensory ganglia. These cells, especially glial and immune cells, play critical roles in the modulation of sensory neurons. This study aimed to identify, profile, and summarize the types of trigemina…
View article: Understanding painful versus non-painful dental pain in female and male patients: A transcriptomic analysis of human biopsies
Understanding painful versus non-painful dental pain in female and male patients: A transcriptomic analysis of human biopsies Open
Dental pain from apical periodontitis is an infection induced-orofacial pain condition that presents with diversity in pain phenotypes among patients. While 60% of patients with a full-blown disease present with the hallmark symptom of mec…
View article: Transcriptional Profiles of Non-neuronal and Immune Cells in Mouse Trigeminal Ganglia
Transcriptional Profiles of Non-neuronal and Immune Cells in Mouse Trigeminal Ganglia Open
Non-neuronal cells constitute 90-95% of sensory ganglia. These cells play critical roles in modulation of nociceptive signal transmissions by sensory neurons. Accordingly, the aim of this review-study was to identify, profile and summarize…
View article: Association of inflammation and tissue damage induced biological processes in masseter muscle with the resolution of chronic myalgia
Association of inflammation and tissue damage induced biological processes in masseter muscle with the resolution of chronic myalgia Open
Biological processes linked to intramuscular inflammation during myogenous temporomandibular disorder (TMDM) are largely unknown. We mimicked this inflammation by intra-masseteric muscle (MM) injections of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) …
View article: Characterization of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein expression in human nociceptors and their axonal projections to the spinal dorsal horn
Characterization of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein expression in human nociceptors and their axonal projections to the spinal dorsal horn Open
Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) regulates activity‐dependent RNA localization and local translation to modulate synaptic plasticity throughout the central nervous system. Mutations in the FMR1 gene that hinder or ablate FMRP fu…
View article: Sensory innervation of masseter, temporal and lateral pterygoid muscles in common marmosets
Sensory innervation of masseter, temporal and lateral pterygoid muscles in common marmosets Open
Myogenous temporomandibular disorders (TMDM) is associated with an increased responsiveness of nerves innervating the masseter (MM), temporal (TM), medial pterygoid (MPM) and lateral pterygoid muscles (LPM). This study aimed to examine sen…
View article: Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) expression in human nociceptor axons of the spinal dorsal horn— Implications for RNA targeting and localized translation
Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) expression in human nociceptor axons of the spinal dorsal horn— Implications for RNA targeting and localized translation Open
Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) regulates activity-dependent RNA localization and local translation to modulate synaptic plasticity throughout the CNS. Mutations in the FMR1 gene that hinder or ablate FMRP function cause Fragil…
View article: Trigeminal neurons control immune-bone cell interaction and metabolism in apical periodontitis
Trigeminal neurons control immune-bone cell interaction and metabolism in apical periodontitis Open
Apical periodontitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease occurring following tooth infection with distinct osteolytic activity. Despite increasing evidence that sensory neurons participate in regulation of non-neuronal cells, their role in the…
View article: Prolactin signaling modulates stress‐induced behavioral responses in a preclinical mouse model of migraine
Prolactin signaling modulates stress‐induced behavioral responses in a preclinical mouse model of migraine Open
Objective The aim of this study was to determine if prolactin signaling modulates stress‐induced behavioral responses in a preclinical migraine model. Background Migraine is one of the most complex and prevalent disorders. The involvement …
View article: Identification of Trigeminal Sensory Neuronal Types Innervating Masseter Muscle
Identification of Trigeminal Sensory Neuronal Types Innervating Masseter Muscle Open
Understanding masseter muscle (MM) innervation is critical for the study of cell-specific mechanisms of pain induced by temporomandibular disorder (TMDs) or after facial surgery. Here, we identified trigeminal (TG) sensory neuronal subtype…
View article: Redefining the Role of Lymphotoxin Beta Receptor in the Maintenance of Lymphoid Organs and Immune Cell Homeostasis in Adulthood
Redefining the Role of Lymphotoxin Beta Receptor in the Maintenance of Lymphoid Organs and Immune Cell Homeostasis in Adulthood Open
Lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTβR) is a promising therapeutic target in autoimmune and infectious diseases as well as cancer. Mice with genetic inactivation of LTβR display multiple defects in development and organization of lymphoid organs,…
View article: A female-specific role for Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) in rodent pain models
A female-specific role for Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) in rodent pain models Open
We aimed to investigate a potentially sexually dimorphic role of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) in mouse and rat models of pain. Based on findings in migraine where CGRP has a preferential pain-promoting effect in female rodents, w…
View article: Mast cell-specific receptor/corticotropin-releasing factor axis regulates alcohol withdrawal-associated headache
Mast cell-specific receptor/corticotropin-releasing factor axis regulates alcohol withdrawal-associated headache Open
Rehabilitation from alcohol addiction or abuse is challenging due to alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Headache is a severe alcohol withdrawal symptom that frequently contributes to rehabilitation failure. Despite the need for treating alcohol …