Using animal models of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and joint injury, Dr. McDougall's laboratory employs an integrative approach to examine the role of nerves in controlling joint inflammation and pain.

Krustev, E., Reid, A. and Mc Dougall, J.J. (2014). Tapping into the endocannabinoid system to ameliorate acute inflammatory flares and associated pain in mouse knee joints. Arthritis Research & Therapy (In Press). Russell, F.A., Schülert, N., Veldhoen, V.E., and Mc Dougall, J.J. (2012). Activation of PAR2 sensitizes primary afferents and causes leukocyte rolling and adherence in the rat knee joint. British Journal of Pharmacology 167: 1665-1678. Mc Dougall, J.J., Andruski, B., Schülert, N., Hallgrimmson, B., and Matyas, J.R. (2009). Unravelling the relationship between age, nociception and joint destruction in naturally occurring osteoarthritis of Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs. Pain 141: 226-236. Schülert, N. and Mc Dougall, J.J. (2008). Cannabinoid-mediated anti-nociception is enhanced in rat osteoarthritic knees. Arthritis & Rheumatism 58: 145-153. Li, Z., Proud, D., Zhang, C., Wiehler, S. and Mc Dougall, J.J. (2005). Chronic arthritis downregulates peripheral m-opioid receptor expression with concomitant loss of endomorphin-1 anti-nociception. Arthritis & Rheumatism 52: 3210-3219.