神经元放电模式在感觉信息编码过程中具有重要意义。我们最新的研究结果表明：在初级感觉神经节（DRG）小细胞内能鉴定出两类电学特性不同的神经元，即tonic神经元和phasic神经元，并且病理性痛对这两类细胞的影响显著不同。然而目前关于DRG神经元不同放电模式调控的关键分子机制尚未明确。我们前期预实验结果初步表明A型钾电流是调控DRG神经元不同放电模式的关键因素，因此本研究将以介导A型钾电流的电压依赖性钾通道（Kv1.4、Kv3.4、Kv4.1、Kv4.2、Kv4.3）为候选分子，综合运用基因干预、膜片钳记录、分子生物学、药理学以及行为学等多种技术，研究初级感觉神经元放电模式调节的分子机制及其在病理性痛中的功能意义。关键分子的发现将有助于病理性痛调控机制的解析，进一步完善我们提出的“以神经元类型为基础的镇痛策略(neuron subtype-based therapy for pain)。

Different neural firing patterns play important roles in encoding information in nervous system. Our recent published data showed that tonic and phasic neurons can be clearly differentiated in dorsal root ganglia. These neurons were differently changed in the state of pathological pain. However, it remains largely unknown on the molecular basis regulating the different firings patterns. Our preliminary data showed that A-type potassium current might be the key underlying mechanism.In the project, we focus on the voltage-gated potassium channels including Kv1.4,Kv3.4,Kv4.1, Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 that mediate A-type potassium current. We will reveal the molecular mechanism regulating the firing pattern of DRG neurons and the functional significence in pain though multiple technologies including molecular biology, gene interference, pharmacological inhibition and behavioral test. Furthermore, we propose a novel analgesic strategy based on controlling neural firing patterns. The key molecules mediating neural firing patterns will update ‘neuron subtype-based therapy for pain’ introduced in our recently published paper.