Biography

Our lab is interested in the pathological mechanisms which drive neuropathic pain and neurodegeneration. In our work, we use a wholistic approach to the study of neuropathy, which includes a variety of techniques to examine all of the cellular components of the nervous system, including neurons, microglia, astrocytes and satellite cells. We use in vivo models to replicate disease pathogenesis and identify changes in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and we use in vitro models to replicate rapid changes in cellular and molecular biology. Currently, we are focused on the effects of insulin dysregulation in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and how reduced insulin signaling potentiates diabetic peripheral neuropathy. By identifying the downstream effects of insulin dysregulation in the sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion, we hope to discover the mechanistic underpinnings of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and identify clinically relevant targets for the development of therapeutics for patients suffering with neuropathic pain.

Complete List of Published Work in My Bibliography:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/james.nichols.4/bibliography/public/