Glasgow Caledonian University
PhD Research Project Opportunity
Project Reference number
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2013SHLS016
School/Institute/Research Group
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School of Health and Life Sciences
Institute of Applied Health Research
Diabetes Research Group
Research Discipline areas

Pharmacology; neuroscience; metabolic disorders; pain
Research Theme
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Diabetes and Obesity
Project Title
The pathogenesis of diabetic sensory dysfunction and painful
neuropathy
Research Project Area
Supervisory Team
Staff Contact
A staggering 50% of patients with long‐standing diabetes and 8% of newly
diagnosed patients are estimated to suffer from neuropathy. Neuropathy is
more common in patients with type 2 diabetes and it is thought that factors
contributing to development of neuropathy in these patients are linked to
expansion of adipose tissue found in >75% of individuals with type 2
diabetes mellitus. It is hypothesised that changes in the secretion of
substances known as adipokines into the circulation from expanding adipose
tissue may be responsible for sensory abnormalities and pain in diabetes.
Recent results in Dr Dolan and Prof Graham’s laboratory have revealed that
pre‐diabetic obese rats are significantly more sensitive to inflammatory pain,
and display enhanced peripheral inflammation, and altered adipokine
expression. Utilizing a newly established colony of diabetic rats at GCU, and
patient blood samples (from patients with neuropathic pain with or without
diabetes; in collaboration with A. Collier), this project will investigate
whether alterations in adipokine expression parallel sensory abnormalities
and pain in diabetes. This work will help identify potential treatments for
alleviation of painful diabetic neuropathy.

Director of Studies: Dr Sharron Dolan
Institute of Applied Health Research/School of Health and Life
Sciences
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Second Supervisor: Professor Ann Graham
Institute of Applied Health Research/School of Health and Life
Sciences
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Dr Sharron Dolan, Dept. of Life Sciences, s.dolan@gcu.ac.uk