Chemical and functional neuroanatomy of pain and stress systems – Tomas Hökfelt group

Our research involves studies of neuropeptides and their receptors in the nervous and endocrine systems, mainly based on histochemical techniques such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, but also molecular biological methods. During recent years focus has been on the analysis of human postmortem tissues.

Part of the Department of Neuroscience
Immunofluorescence micrograph of human dorsal root ganglion after incubation with antiserum to the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

Research focus

Chemical Neurotransmission Research

Our research is focused on chemical messengers in the nervous and endocrine systems, mainly based on histochemical techniques: immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridiza­tion. We also use molecular biological approaches including RT-PCR and have created some transgenic animals.

We are interested in the concept that a neuron produces and re­leases more than one transmitter substance. In particular, our work has focused on the role of neuropeptides in the central and peripheral nervous system, including substance P, cholecystokinin (CCK), galanin and neuropeptide Y (NPY), four peptides that have been discovered by scientists at Karolinska Institutet. These peptides often have a modulating role, exerting their effects via 7-transmembrane, G-protein-coupled receptors. The peptide systems are involved in numerous functions, for example control of food intake, as well as in various diseases such as obesity, anorexia nervosa, pain and depression.

We are now particularly interested in studying human tissues to validate hypotheses based on rodent experiments with the aim to understand mechanisms underlying pain and depression and to develop novel strategies for treatment of these disorders .

Publications

All publications from group members