Dr Jo Murrell
Mechanisms of pain perception
Research overview
I joined the University of Bristol in 2007 as a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anaesthesia. I am a European specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, primarily based at the veterinary school in Langford, Dept of Clinical Veterinary Science. I am also a member of the Sensory and Motor Group led by Professors Bridget Lumb and Richard Apps.
My fundamental research interests are focussed on mechanisms of pain perception using electroencephalographic techniques, particularly cortical evoked potentials. I also participate in more applied projects based at the veterinary school which centre on improving analgesia provision in different species, and investigating the welfare implications of routine husbandry procedures.
My applied research interests are very much centred around recognition, quantification, and management of pain in both domestic and farmed animals.
Key words
electroencephalogram, visceral and somatic pain, evoked potentials, mechanical, UVb, dog, chicken, sheep,
Key findings
- Validating models of inflammatory pain using neurophysiological markers of nociception
- Use of mechanical evoked potentials to study central sensitisation
- Development and validation of the UVb pain model in rats as a translational model of inflammatory pain
- Do broilers and laying hens experience pain when they are lame or have keel bone fractures?
- Evaluation of methadone and fentanyl for analgesia in cats?
- Development of novel methods to quantify chronic pain caused by spontaneous osteoarthritis in dogs
Processes and functions relevant to this work
Pain
Research group
Emily Davies, Nicola Grint, Pamela Murison, Mohammed Nasr, Kevin Parsons, Gareth Readman, Louisa Slingsby, Nirosha Weerasinghe
Techniques in routine use
Placement of dural and cortical EEG electrodes, EEG recording, generation of evoked potentials, UVB model, quantitative sensory testing, Behavioural measurement techniques
Equipment in routine use
Neurolog system, thermal and mechanical threshold testing system, behavioural testing facilities
Collaborations
Professor Bridget Lumb, Dr. Polly Taylor, Professor Mike Mendl, Professor Christine Nicol, Professor Mick Bailey
Teaching
Veterinary anaesthesia lectures to third year veterinary undergraduate students, particularly focussing on pain and analgesia. Contribution to the pain module of the 3rd year Physiology undergraduate degree. Applied pain lectures to students on the Animal Behaviour and Welfare degree programme and Meat Science MSc.
Public engagement
CPD to vets and veterinarians about pain pathophysiology and analgesia in small animals
Participation in University of Bristol public engagement initiatives
Latest publications
- Caplen, GJ, Colborne, GR, Hothersall, RC, Nicol, CJ, Waterman-Pearson, AE, Weeks, CA & Murrell, JC 2013, ‘Lame broiler chickens respond to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with objective changes in gait function: A controlled clinical trial’. The Veterinary Journal.
- Nasr, M, Nicol, CJ & Murrell, JC 2012, ‘Do laying hens with keel fractures experience pain’. PLoSONE, vol 7.
- Nicholls, SM, Mitchard, LK, Laycock, GM, Harley, R, Murrell, JC, Dick, AD & Bailey, M 2012, ‘A model of corneal graft rejection in semi-inbred NIH miniature swine: significant T cell infiltration of clinically accepted allografts’. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, vol 53., pp. 3183-3192
- Love, EJ, Taylor, PM, Murrell, J & Whay, HR 2012, ‘Effects of acepromazine, butorphanol and buprenorphine on thermal and mechanical nociceptive thresholds in horses’. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement, vol 44., pp. 221-225
- Hunt, JR, Grint, NJ, Taylor, PM & Murrell, JC 2012, ‘Sedative and analgesic effects of buprenorphine, combined with either acepromazine or dexmedetomidine, for premedication prior to elective surgery in cats and dogs’. VEterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.
- Slingsby, LS, Murrell, JC & Taylor, PM 2012, ‘Buprenorphine in combination with naloxone at a ratio of 15:1 does not enhance antinociception from buprenorphine in healthy cats’. The Veterinary Journal, vol 192., pp. 523-524
- Nasr, M, Murrell, J, Wilkins, L & Nicol, C 2012, ‘The effect of keel fractures on egg production parameters, mobility and behaviour in individual laying hens’. Animal Welfare, vol 21., pp. 127 - 135
- Bortolami, E, Murrell, JC & Slingsby, LS 2012, ‘Methadone in combination with acepromazine as premedication prior to neutering in the cat’. VEterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.
- Herbert, GL, Bowlt, KL, Ford-Fennah, V, Covey-Crump, GL & Murrell, JC 2012, ‘Alfaxalone for total intravenous anaesthesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy: a comparison of premedication with acepromazine or dexmedetomidine’. VEterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.
- Caplen, GJ, Hothersall, RC, Murrell, JC, Nicol, CJ, Waterman-Pearson, AE, Weeks, CA & Colborne, GR 2012, ‘Kinematic analysis quantifies gait abnormalities associated with lameness in broiler chickens and identifies evolutionary gait differences.’. PLoS ONE., pp. e40800
Full publications list in the University of Bristol publications system