Research

Current Projects in the lab

  1. Neuroimmune communication – neuroimmune plasticity: how neurons communicate with immune cells in the brain and periphery to mediate pain, depression, and other co-morbidities. With a focus on cell-specific signaling, in translated models of human diseases: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy, chronic muscle pain/fibromyalgia (clinical outcomes). Animal Model, Human Neuroimmunology: Donor & Patient Samples

  1. Mechanisms of aging – how aging and sex influence the immune system, metabolism, and behavioral plasticity. Aging Animal Model, Clinical Data, Human Neuroimmunolgy

  1. Neuropharmacology: The role of cannabinoids in mediating affective behavior and analgesia – an opioid alternative to chronic pain. Novel Animal Model and Human iPSCs

  • How alcohol consumption leads to neuroimmune plasticity, pain sensitization, anxiety, and depression. Animal Models, Human Neuroimmunology: Donor & Patient Samples

  1. The role of (neuro)immune biomarkers indicative of pain and delirium perioperatively and convalescence – direct clinical implications of this conversation. Patients

Check out Dr. Burton’s NIH Pain Consortium Symposium talk

Check out Dr. Burton’s Keystone Symposium short talk on TLR4

Check out some cleared sensory cortex using the sca/e technique.