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Yong Chen

Associate Professor in Neurology
Neurology, Translational Brain Sciences
Box 2900 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
251 Bryan Res Bldg, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Dr. Yong Chen is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the Duke University School of Medicine.  He is also affiliated with Duke Anesthesiology-Center for Translational Pain Medicine (CTPM) and Duke-Pathology.

The Chen lab mainly studies sensory neurobiology of pain and itch, with a focus on TRP ion channels and neural circuits. The main objective of our lab is to identify molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying chronic pain and chronic-disease associated itch, using a combination of animal behavioral, genetic, molecular and cellular, advanced imaging, viral, and optogenetic approaches.  There are three major research areas in the lab: craniofacial pain, arthritis pain and joint function, and systemic-disease associated itch.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in Neurology · 2025 - Present Neurology, Translational Brain Sciences, Neurology
Associate Professor in Pathology · 2022 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Associate Professor in Anesthesiology · 2022 - Present Anesthesiology, Clinical Science Departments

In the News


Published April 5, 2021
Maddening Itch of Liver Disease Comes from a Surprising Source

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Recent Publications


Sensory Neuron-TRPV4 Modulates Temporomandibular Disorder Pain Via CGRP in Mice.

Journal Article J Pain · May 2023 Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain that involves inflammation and injury in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/or masticatory muscle is the most common form of orofacial pain. We recently found that transient receptor potential vanilloid-4 (TRPV4) in ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

TMEM100, a regulator of TRPV1-TRPA1 interaction, contributes to temporomandibular disorder pain.

Journal Article Front Mol Neurosci · 2023 There is an unmet need to identify new therapeutic targets for temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain because current treatments are limited and unsatisfactory. TMEM100, a two-transmembrane protein, was recently identified as a regulator to weaken the TRPA1 ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Silencing of TRPV4-expressing sensory neurons attenuates temporomandibular disorders pain.

Journal Article Mol Pain · 2023 Identification of potential therapeutic targets is needed for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) pain, the most common form of orofacial pain, because current treatments lack efficacy. Considering TMD pain is critically mediated by the trigeminal ganglion ( ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Identification and validation of LPA/LPAR signaling in temporomandibular disorder pain

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2027

Investigating BK channel regulatory subunit LRRC55 in pain

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2026

Resolvin receptor signaling in trigeminal sensory neurons

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research · 2023 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


Lanzhou University (China) · 2003 Ph.D.