Carl Potenzieri

Thesis Title:

Cannabinoid Modulation of Nociception and Nociceptor Activity During Inflammation

Current Position:

Health Program Specialist
Office of Training, Career Development, and Workplace Diversity
National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke
National Institutes of Health

Major Advisor(s):

Donald Simone, Ph.D.

Research Interests:

The analgesic properties of cannabis have been noted for centuries. However, the use of cannabis to treat pain is limited due to its psychoactive properties and abuse liability. Previous studies using models of both acute and persistent pain have demonstrated that locally administered cannabinoid receptor agonists produce peripherally mediated antihyperalgesia. These studies suggest that targeting peripheral cannabinoid receptors may be a useful therapeutic approach to treat pain. We are interested in determining how locally administered cananbinoids affect primary afferent nociceptors.

Selected Publications:

• Zaccone EJ, Lieu T, Muroi Y, Potenzieri C, Undem BE, Gao P, Han L, Canning BJ, Undem BJ. Parainfluenza 3-induced cough hypersensitivity in the guinea pig airways. PLoS One. 2016 May 23;11(5):e0155526.
• Potenzieri C, Meeker S, Undem BJ. Activation of mouse bronchopulmonary C-fibres by serotonin and allergen-ovalbumin challenge. J Physiol. 2012;590:5449-59
• Undem BJ, Potenzieri C. Neural control of intrathoracic airways. Compr Physiol. 2012;2:1241-67
• Potenzieri C, Undem BJ. Basic mechanisms of itch. Clin Exp Allergy. 2012;42(1):8-19.
• Potenzieri C, Brink TS, Simone DA. Excitation of cutaneous C nociceptors by intraplantar administration of anandamide. Brain Res. 2009;1268:38-47.
• Potenzieri C, Harding-Rose C, Simone DA. The cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN 55, 212-2, attenuates tumor-evoked hyperalgesia through peripheral mechanisms. Brain Res. 2008;1215:69-75.
• Potenzieri C, Brink TS, Pacharinsak C, Simone DA. Cannabinoid modulation of cutaneous Adelta nociceptors during inflammation. J Neurophysiol. 2008;100(5):2794-806.