EVIDENCE FOR GALANIN RECEPTORS IN PRIMARY SENSORY NEURONS AND EFFECT OF AXOTOMY AND INFLAMMATION

USING in situ hybridization, mRNA coding for the galanin R1 receptor ( GAL-R1) was demonstrated in > 20% of all lumbar 4 and 5 dorsal root ga nglion neurone profiles, mainly constituting small and medium sized ne urones. Almost all of these neurones expressed CGRP mRNA as revealed b y analysis of adjacent sections and of the same section using a double -labelling technique. GAL-R1 mRNA levels were down-regulated transient ly by inflammation, and more strongly by peripheral nerve injury. Thes e results suggest that DRG neurones are sensitive to galanin and that GAL-R1 receptors are involved in sensory processing.