My laboratory is interested in conducting research in the genetic modulation of chronic and acute oral-facial pain. Chronic pain conditions, such as those related to Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD), occur in greater than 10% of the US population and occur predominatly in females between the ages of 17 and 45 years of age. The COMT gene may account for up to 11% of the variance in pain response and high pain reactive haploblocks of the COMT gene distribution double the risk of developing TMD. Response to opioid analgesic drugs may also be affected by genetic variations in opioid receptor gene, polymorphisms in the genes that mediate the metabolism of opioids, or genetic variations in proteins that indirectly influence the efficacy and safety of opioids. Our laboratory will conduct clinical trials to identify opioid receptor, non-opioid, and metabolic gene polymorphisms which are associated with the analgesic efficacy and/or side effect profile of opioids. We will also continue clinical trials of gene polymorphisms associated with the developement and/or maintenance of TMD pain conditions.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
chronic facial pain (TMD) and genetic polymorphisms
acute facial pain (third molar extraction) and genetic polymorphisms
sensory retraining and trigeminal sensory disorders
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Tay A, Zuniga JR, "Clinical characteristics of trigeminal nerve injury referrals to a university-based specialist center" Int Journal Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 36:922-927, 2007
Cunningham L, Dodson T, Feinberg S, Le A, Wohlford M, Zuniga J, "Research Summitt: At the forefront of innovation" Journal Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 66:215-222, 2008
Zuniga JR, Ibanez C, Kozacko M, "The analgesic safety and efficacy of intra-articular morphine and mepivacaine following termporomandibular joint arthroplasty" Journal Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 65:1477-1485, 2007
Essick G, Phillips C, Zuniga JR, "Effect of facial sensory retraining on sensory thresholds" Journal Dental Research, 86:571-575, 2007
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Zuniga JR, Chen M, Phillips C, "Chemosensory and somatosensory regeneration after lingual nerve repair in humans" Journal Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 55:2-13, 1997
Essick G, Phillips C, Zuniga JR, "Effect of facial sensory retraining on sensory thresholds" Journal of Dental Research, 86:571-575, 2007
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