Credentials

B.S., Sogang University, 1967
Ph.D., Loyola University (Chicago), 1977
Member, Marine Biomedical Institute
Professor, Departments of Anatomy & Neurosciences and Physiology & Biophysics
Cell Biology Graduate Program
Neurosciences Graduate Program

Research Program

To investigate the mechanisms of neuropathic pain, we have developed an experimental rat model that closely mimics behavioral signs of chronic pain seen in human patients with neuropathic pain. This model is arguably the best one among the existing neuropathic pain models. Consequently, scientists from all over the world come to our laboratory to learn how to produce this model. Numerous research laboratories are using it to investigate pain mechanisms and many pharmaceutical companies use it to develop new analgesic drugs.

Using this animal model, we take a multidisciplinary experimental approach. This includes behavioral, neurophysiological, neuropharma- cological, neuroanatomical, and molecular biological techniques. It is anticipated that such a multidisciplinary approach will result in a better understanding of neuropathic pain and an improved treatment for patients suffering from such devastatingly debilitating chronic pain.

Selected Publications: 1992-present

Kim, S.H. and Chung, J.M. An experimental model for peripheral neuropathy produced by segmental spinal nerve ligation in the rat. Pain 50: 355-363, 1992.

Sheen, K., and Chung, J.M. Signs of neuropathic pain depend on signals from injured nerve fibers in a rat model. Brain Research 610: 62-68, 1993.

Leem, J.W.1, Willis, W.D., and Chung, J.M. Cutaneous sensory receptors in the rat foot. J. Neurophysiol. 69: 1684-1699, 1993

Na, H.S., Leem, J.W.1, and Chung, J.M. Abnormalities of mechanoreceptors in a rat model of neuropathic pain: possible involvement in mediating mechanical allodynia. J. Neurophysiol. 70: 522-528, 1993.

Kim, S.H., Na, H.S., Sheen, K., and Chung, J.M. Effects of sympathectomy on a rat model of peripheral neuropathy. Pain 55: 85-92, 1993.

Leem, J.W.1, Willis, W.D., Weller, S.C., and Chung, J.M. Differential activation and classification of cutaneous afferents in the rat. J. Neurophysiol. 70: 2411- 2424, 1993.

Leem, J.W.1, Lee, B.H., Willis, W.D., and Chung, J.M. Grouping of somatosensory neurons in the spinal cord and the gracile nucleus of the rat by cluster analysis. J. Neurophysiol. 72: 2590-2597, 1994.

Choi, Y., Yoon, Y.W., Na, H.S., Kim, S.H., and Chung, J.M. Behavioral signs of ongoing pain and cold allodynia in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Pain 59: 369- 376, 1994.

Chung, K., Lee, B.H., Yoon, Y.W. and Chung, J.M. Sympathetic sprouting in the dorsal root ganglia of the injured peripheral nerve in a rat neuropathic pain model. J. Comp. Neurol. 376: 241-252, 1996.

Yoon, Y.W., Na, H.S., and Chung, J.M. Contributions of injured and intact afferents to neuropathic pain in an experimental rat model. Pain 64: 27-36, 1996.

Chung, K., Yoon, Y.W. and Chung, J.M. Sprouting sympathetic fibers form synaptic endings in the dorsal root ganglion of the rat with neuropathic injury. Brain Res. 751: 275-280, 1997.

Lee, B.H., Yoon, Y.W., Chung, K. and Chung, J.M. Comparison of sympathetic sprouting to the sensory ganglia in three animal models of neuropathic pain. Exp. Brain Res. 120: 432-438, 1998.

Lee, S.E., Shen, H., Taglialatela, G. Chung, J.M. and Chung, K. Expression of nerve growth factor in the dorsal root ganglion after peripheral nerve injury. Brain Research.