Carolyn Fairbanks PhD

r. Carolyn Fairbanks’ research focuses on development of novel compounds with a pharmacokinetic/dynamic profile ideal for spinal delivery for pain relief. One major focus is the continued characterization and clinical translation of a new compound, moxonidine, as well as its corresponding target, the alpha2C adrenergic receptor. The spinal cord contains alpha2C adrenergic receptors on intrinsic spinal neurons which, when activated by agonists such as moxonidine, inhibit action potentials that transmit the pain signal from the periphery to the brain. Dr. Fairbanks’ studies of moxonidine have used methods that incorporate the use of transgenic mice, antisense oligonucleotides and immunocytochemistry.

A second interest of Dr. Fairbanks’ team includes understanding the basic spinal neural mechanisms (glutamate-induced plasticity) governing induction chronic pain as well as opioid-induced tolerance and addiction. Her laboratory currently researches the role of an endogenous amine, agmatine (decarboxylated arginine), in those biological events. Studies of glutamatergic and agmatinergic neurotransmission in the spinal cord apply behavioral, biochemical, immunocytochemical and molecular techniques. Acquiring such information may lead to the development of a novel class of spinally delivered drugs intended for reversing (rather than alleviating) the effects of chronic pain.