Mr Andrew Bell
- Senior Academic Clinician (Small Animal Clinical Sciences)
email:
Andrew.Bell@glasgow.ac.uk
Veterinary Clinical Services Uni, Small Animal Hospital
Research interests
I am a specialist veterinary anaesthetist and pain researcher. My clinical interests centre around the measurement and treatment of pain in veterinary species. I also conduct discovery neuroscience research into spinal cord pain mechanisms. I am particulary interested in unravelling the heterogeneity amongst the neurons that make up pain and itch circuits in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. I use a variety of molecular, anatomical and behavioral techniques to investigate what defines neuronal identity and how this contributes to abnormal sensory function in pain states.
Research groups
Publications
2024
Bell, A. M. et al. (2024) Deep sequencing of Phox2a nuclei reveals five classes of anterolateral system neurons. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 121(23), e231421312. (doi: 10.1073/pnas.2314213121) (PMID:38805282)
2023
Boyle, K. A. et al. (2023) Neuropeptide Y-expressing dorsal horn inhibitory interneurons gate spinal pain and itch signalling. eLife, 12, RP86633. (doi: 10.7554/eLife.86633) (PMID:37490401) (PMCID:PMC10392120)
Testa, B., Biggi, M., Byrne, C. A. and Bell, A. (2023) Assessment of magnetic resonance imaging artefacts caused by equine anaesthesia equipment: a cadaver study. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 126, 104492. (doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104492)
Davis, O. C. et al. (2023) Calretinin-expressing islet cells are a source of pre- and post-synaptic inhibition of non-peptidergic nociceptor input to the mouse spinal cord. Scientific Reports, 13, 11561. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-38605-9) (PMID:37464016) (PMCID:PMC10354228)
Quillet, R., Dickie, A. C., Polgár, E., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Bell, A. M. , Goffin, L., Watanabe, M. and Todd, A. J. (2023) Characterisation of NPFF-expressing neurons in the superficial dorsal horn of the mouse spinal cord. Scientific Reports, 13, 5891. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-32720-3) (PMID:37041197) (PMCID:PMC10090074)
Polgár, E. et al. (2023) Grpr expression defines a population of superficial dorsal horn vertical cells that have a role in both itch and pain. Pain, 164(1), pp. 149-170. (doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002677) (PMID:35543635) (PMCID:PMC9756441)
2022
Pang, D. and Bell, A. (2022) Use of mechanical thresholds in a model of feline clinical acute pain and their correlation with the Glasgow Feline Composite Measure Pain Scale scores. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 24(12), e672-e674. (doi: 10.1177/1098612X221137376) (PMID:36409562)
Trendafilova, T. et al. (2022) Sodium-calcium exchanger-3 regulates pain "wind-up": from human psychophysics to spinal mechanisms. Neuron, 110(16), 2571-2587.e13. (doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.05.017) (PMID:35705078) (PMCID:PMC7613464)
Gradwell, M. A. et al. (2022) Diversity of inhibitory and excitatory parvalbumin interneuron circuits in the dorsal horn. Pain, 163(3), e432-e452. (doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002422) (PMID:34326298) (PMCID:PMC8832545)
Kókai, É., Alsulaimain, W. A.A., Dickie, A. C., Bell, A. M. , Goffin, L., Watanabe, M., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. and Todd, A. J. (2022) Characterisation of deep dorsal horn projection neurons in the spinal cord of the Phox2a::Cre mouse line. Molecular Pain, 18, p. 17448069221119614. (doi: 10.1177/17448069221119614) (PMID:36000342) (PMCID:PMC9445510)
2021
Testa, B., Reid, J., Scott, M. E. , Murison, P. J. and Bell, A. (2021) The short form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale in post-operative analgesia studies in dogs: a scoping review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 751949. (doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.751949)
Alsulaiman, W. A.A. et al. (2021) Characterisation of lamina I anterolateral system neurons that express Cre in a Phox2a-Cre mouse line. Scientific Reports, 11, 17912. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-97105-w) (PMID:34504158) (PMCID:PMC8429737)
Testa, B., Pawson, P. and Bell, A. (2021) A suspected non-allergic anaphylactic reaction to intravenous administration of atracurium in a dog. Veterinary Record Case Reports, 9(3), e101. (doi: 10.1002/vrc2.101)
Thomson, R., Trimble, T., Pawson, P. and Bell, A. M. (2021) A survey-based study into the use of peripheral nerve blocks for pelvic limb surgery among veterinary professionals with an interest in anesthesia. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 42, 100507. (doi: 10.1016/j.tcam.2020.100507) (PMID:33346162)
2020
Polgár, E., Bell, A. M. , Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Dickie, A. C., Akar, O., Costreie, M., Watanabe, M. and Todd, A. J. (2020) Substance P-expressing neurons in the superficial dorsal horn of the mouse spinal cord: insights into their functions and their roles in synaptic circuits. Neuroscience, 450, pp. 113-125. (doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.06.038) (PMID:32634530)
Bell, A. M. , Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Stevenson, A., Casas-Benito, A., Wildner, H., West, S. J., Watanabe, M. and Todd, A. J. (2020) Expression of green fluorescent protein defines a specific population of lamina II excitatory interneurons in the GRP::eGFP mouse. Scientific Reports, 10, 13176. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-69711-7) (PMID:32764601) (PMCID:PMC7411045)
Bell, A. M. , Polgár, E., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Boyle, K. A. and Todd, A. J. (2020) Functional populations among interneurons in the dorsal horn. In: Fritzsch, B. (ed.) The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference. Second Edition. Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, pp. 207-219. ISBN 9780128054093 (doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.24171-0)
2019
Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Bell, A. M. , Shepherd, F., Polgár, E., Watanabe, M., Furuta, T. and Todd, A. J. (2019) Expression of cholecystokinin by neurons in mouse spinal dorsal horn. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 527(11), pp. 1857-1871. (doi: 10.1002/cne.24657) (PMID:30734936) (PMCID:PMC6563475)
Dickie, A. C. et al. (2019) Morphological and functional properties distinguish the substance P and gastrin-releasing peptide subsets of excitatory interneuron in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Pain, 160(2), pp. 442-462. (doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001406) (PMID:30247267) (PMCID:PMC6330098)
Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Bell, A. , Polgár, E., Watanabe, M. and Todd, A. J. (2019) Expression of neuropeptide FF defines a population of excitatory interneurons in the superficial dorsal horn of the mouse spinal cord that respond to noxious and pruritic stimuli. Neuroscience, 416, pp. 281-293. (doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.08.013) (PMID:31421202) (PMCID:PMC6839401)
2018
Bell, A. and Hammond, J. (2018) Directly Observed Procedural Skills – What do the Assessors Think? VetEd Symposium 2018, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 05-06 Jul 2018.
Bell, A. (2018) The neurobiology of acute pain. Veterinary Journal, 237, pp. 55-62. (doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.05.004) (PMID:30089546)
Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Polgár, E., Bell, A. M. , Hérau, M. and Todd, A. J. (2018) Substance P-expressing excitatory interneurons in the mouse superficial dorsal horn provide a propriospinal input to the lateral spinal nucleus. Brain Structure and Function, 223(5), pp. 2377-2392. (doi: 10.1007/s00429-018-1629-x) (PMID:29497838) (PMCID:PMC5968060)
2017
Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Bell, A. M. , Marin, A., Taylor, R., Boyle, K. A., Furuta, T., Watanabe, M., Polgár, E. and Todd, A. J. (2017) Preprotachykinin A (PPTA) is expressed by a distinct population of excitatory neurons in the mouse superficial spinal dorsal horn including cells that respond to noxious and pruritic stimuli. Pain, 158(3), pp. 440-456. (doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000778) (PMID:27902570) (PMCID:PMC5302415)
2016
Bell, A. M. , Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Polgár, E. and Todd, A. J. (2016) Spinal neurons that contain gastrin-releasing peptide seldom express Fos or phosphorylate extracellular signal-regulated kinases in response to intradermal chloroquine. Molecular Pain, 12, pp. 1-9. (doi: 10.1177/1744806916649602) (PMID:27270268) (PMCID:PMC4937990)
Macfarlane, M.J., Morris, J. , Burnside, S. and Bell, A. (2016) A retrospective evaluation of polyurethane, long-stay, peripheral venous cannulae in dogs undergoing radiotherapy. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 57(2), pp. 84-90. (doi: 10.1111/jsap.12417) (PMID:26577242)
2015
Bell, A. , Yamaoka, T.T., Akil, L., Watson, D. and Devine, C. (2015) Contamination of multidose butorphanol vials in small animal general practices. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 56(11), pp. 637-640. (doi: 10.1111/jsap.12409) (PMID:26511104)
2014
Calvo, G., Holden, E., Reid, J., Scott, E.M. , Firth, A., Bell, A. , Robertson, S. and Nolan, A.M. (2014) Development of a behaviour-based measurement tool with defined intervention level for assessing acute pain in cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 55(12), pp. 622-629. (doi: 10.1111/jsap.12280) (PMID:25470416)
Holden, E., Calvo, G., Collins, M., Bell, A. , Reid, J., Scott, E.M. and Nolan, A.M. (2014) Evaluation of facial expression in acute pain in cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 55(12), pp. 615-621. (doi: 10.1111/jsap.12283) (PMID:25354833)
Bell, A. , Helm, J. and Reid, J. (2014) Veterinarians' attitudes to chronic pain in dogs. Veterinary Record, 175(17), p. 428. (doi: 10.1136/vr.102352)
2013
Amengual, M., Flaherty, D., Auckburally, A., Bell, A.M. , Scott, E.M. and Pawson, P. (2013) An evaluation of anaesthetic induction in healthy dogs using rapid intravenous injection of propofol or alfaxalone. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 40(2), pp. 115-123. (doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00747.x)
2012
Bell, A. , Helm, J. and Reid, J. (2012) Vets' attitudes to chronic pain in dogs. Veterinary Record, 170(25), pp. 653-654. (doi: 10.1136/vr.e4290)
2011
Bell, A.M. , Auckburally, A., Pawson, P., Scott, E.M. and Flaherty, D. (2011) Two doses of dexmedetomidine in combination with buprenorphine for premedication in dogs; a comparison with acepromazine and buprenorphine. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 38(1), pp. 15-23. (doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2010.00576.x)
Pizzi, R., Girling, S., Bell, A. , Tjolle, A., Brown, D. and Devine, C. (2011) Laparoscopic-assisted cryptorchidectomy in an adult reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). Veterinary Medicine International, 2011, 131368. (doi: 10.4061/2011/131368) (PMID:21647390) (PMCID:PMC3103838)
Articles
Bell, A. M. et al. (2024) Deep sequencing of Phox2a nuclei reveals five classes of anterolateral system neurons. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 121(23), e231421312. (doi: 10.1073/pnas.2314213121) (PMID:38805282)
Boyle, K. A. et al. (2023) Neuropeptide Y-expressing dorsal horn inhibitory interneurons gate spinal pain and itch signalling. eLife, 12, RP86633. (doi: 10.7554/eLife.86633) (PMID:37490401) (PMCID:PMC10392120)
Testa, B., Biggi, M., Byrne, C. A. and Bell, A. (2023) Assessment of magnetic resonance imaging artefacts caused by equine anaesthesia equipment: a cadaver study. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 126, 104492. (doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104492)
Davis, O. C. et al. (2023) Calretinin-expressing islet cells are a source of pre- and post-synaptic inhibition of non-peptidergic nociceptor input to the mouse spinal cord. Scientific Reports, 13, 11561. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-38605-9) (PMID:37464016) (PMCID:PMC10354228)
Quillet, R., Dickie, A. C., Polgár, E., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Bell, A. M. , Goffin, L., Watanabe, M. and Todd, A. J. (2023) Characterisation of NPFF-expressing neurons in the superficial dorsal horn of the mouse spinal cord. Scientific Reports, 13, 5891. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-32720-3) (PMID:37041197) (PMCID:PMC10090074)
Polgár, E. et al. (2023) Grpr expression defines a population of superficial dorsal horn vertical cells that have a role in both itch and pain. Pain, 164(1), pp. 149-170. (doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002677) (PMID:35543635) (PMCID:PMC9756441)
Pang, D. and Bell, A. (2022) Use of mechanical thresholds in a model of feline clinical acute pain and their correlation with the Glasgow Feline Composite Measure Pain Scale scores. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 24(12), e672-e674. (doi: 10.1177/1098612X221137376) (PMID:36409562)
Trendafilova, T. et al. (2022) Sodium-calcium exchanger-3 regulates pain "wind-up": from human psychophysics to spinal mechanisms. Neuron, 110(16), 2571-2587.e13. (doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.05.017) (PMID:35705078) (PMCID:PMC7613464)
Gradwell, M. A. et al. (2022) Diversity of inhibitory and excitatory parvalbumin interneuron circuits in the dorsal horn. Pain, 163(3), e432-e452. (doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002422) (PMID:34326298) (PMCID:PMC8832545)
Kókai, É., Alsulaimain, W. A.A., Dickie, A. C., Bell, A. M. , Goffin, L., Watanabe, M., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. and Todd, A. J. (2022) Characterisation of deep dorsal horn projection neurons in the spinal cord of the Phox2a::Cre mouse line. Molecular Pain, 18, p. 17448069221119614. (doi: 10.1177/17448069221119614) (PMID:36000342) (PMCID:PMC9445510)
Testa, B., Reid, J., Scott, M. E. , Murison, P. J. and Bell, A. (2021) The short form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale in post-operative analgesia studies in dogs: a scoping review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 751949. (doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.751949)
Alsulaiman, W. A.A. et al. (2021) Characterisation of lamina I anterolateral system neurons that express Cre in a Phox2a-Cre mouse line. Scientific Reports, 11, 17912. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-97105-w) (PMID:34504158) (PMCID:PMC8429737)
Testa, B., Pawson, P. and Bell, A. (2021) A suspected non-allergic anaphylactic reaction to intravenous administration of atracurium in a dog. Veterinary Record Case Reports, 9(3), e101. (doi: 10.1002/vrc2.101)
Thomson, R., Trimble, T., Pawson, P. and Bell, A. M. (2021) A survey-based study into the use of peripheral nerve blocks for pelvic limb surgery among veterinary professionals with an interest in anesthesia. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 42, 100507. (doi: 10.1016/j.tcam.2020.100507) (PMID:33346162)
Polgár, E., Bell, A. M. , Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Dickie, A. C., Akar, O., Costreie, M., Watanabe, M. and Todd, A. J. (2020) Substance P-expressing neurons in the superficial dorsal horn of the mouse spinal cord: insights into their functions and their roles in synaptic circuits. Neuroscience, 450, pp. 113-125. (doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.06.038) (PMID:32634530)
Bell, A. M. , Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Stevenson, A., Casas-Benito, A., Wildner, H., West, S. J., Watanabe, M. and Todd, A. J. (2020) Expression of green fluorescent protein defines a specific population of lamina II excitatory interneurons in the GRP::eGFP mouse. Scientific Reports, 10, 13176. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-69711-7) (PMID:32764601) (PMCID:PMC7411045)
Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Bell, A. M. , Shepherd, F., Polgár, E., Watanabe, M., Furuta, T. and Todd, A. J. (2019) Expression of cholecystokinin by neurons in mouse spinal dorsal horn. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 527(11), pp. 1857-1871. (doi: 10.1002/cne.24657) (PMID:30734936) (PMCID:PMC6563475)
Dickie, A. C. et al. (2019) Morphological and functional properties distinguish the substance P and gastrin-releasing peptide subsets of excitatory interneuron in the spinal cord dorsal horn. Pain, 160(2), pp. 442-462. (doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001406) (PMID:30247267) (PMCID:PMC6330098)
Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Bell, A. , Polgár, E., Watanabe, M. and Todd, A. J. (2019) Expression of neuropeptide FF defines a population of excitatory interneurons in the superficial dorsal horn of the mouse spinal cord that respond to noxious and pruritic stimuli. Neuroscience, 416, pp. 281-293. (doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.08.013) (PMID:31421202) (PMCID:PMC6839401)
Bell, A. (2018) The neurobiology of acute pain. Veterinary Journal, 237, pp. 55-62. (doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.05.004) (PMID:30089546)
Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Polgár, E., Bell, A. M. , Hérau, M. and Todd, A. J. (2018) Substance P-expressing excitatory interneurons in the mouse superficial dorsal horn provide a propriospinal input to the lateral spinal nucleus. Brain Structure and Function, 223(5), pp. 2377-2392. (doi: 10.1007/s00429-018-1629-x) (PMID:29497838) (PMCID:PMC5968060)
Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Bell, A. M. , Marin, A., Taylor, R., Boyle, K. A., Furuta, T., Watanabe, M., Polgár, E. and Todd, A. J. (2017) Preprotachykinin A (PPTA) is expressed by a distinct population of excitatory neurons in the mouse superficial spinal dorsal horn including cells that respond to noxious and pruritic stimuli. Pain, 158(3), pp. 440-456. (doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000778) (PMID:27902570) (PMCID:PMC5302415)
Bell, A. M. , Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Polgár, E. and Todd, A. J. (2016) Spinal neurons that contain gastrin-releasing peptide seldom express Fos or phosphorylate extracellular signal-regulated kinases in response to intradermal chloroquine. Molecular Pain, 12, pp. 1-9. (doi: 10.1177/1744806916649602) (PMID:27270268) (PMCID:PMC4937990)
Macfarlane, M.J., Morris, J. , Burnside, S. and Bell, A. (2016) A retrospective evaluation of polyurethane, long-stay, peripheral venous cannulae in dogs undergoing radiotherapy. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 57(2), pp. 84-90. (doi: 10.1111/jsap.12417) (PMID:26577242)
Bell, A. , Yamaoka, T.T., Akil, L., Watson, D. and Devine, C. (2015) Contamination of multidose butorphanol vials in small animal general practices. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 56(11), pp. 637-640. (doi: 10.1111/jsap.12409) (PMID:26511104)
Calvo, G., Holden, E., Reid, J., Scott, E.M. , Firth, A., Bell, A. , Robertson, S. and Nolan, A.M. (2014) Development of a behaviour-based measurement tool with defined intervention level for assessing acute pain in cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 55(12), pp. 622-629. (doi: 10.1111/jsap.12280) (PMID:25470416)
Holden, E., Calvo, G., Collins, M., Bell, A. , Reid, J., Scott, E.M. and Nolan, A.M. (2014) Evaluation of facial expression in acute pain in cats. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 55(12), pp. 615-621. (doi: 10.1111/jsap.12283) (PMID:25354833)
Bell, A. , Helm, J. and Reid, J. (2014) Veterinarians' attitudes to chronic pain in dogs. Veterinary Record, 175(17), p. 428. (doi: 10.1136/vr.102352)
Amengual, M., Flaherty, D., Auckburally, A., Bell, A.M. , Scott, E.M. and Pawson, P. (2013) An evaluation of anaesthetic induction in healthy dogs using rapid intravenous injection of propofol or alfaxalone. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 40(2), pp. 115-123. (doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2012.00747.x)
Bell, A. , Helm, J. and Reid, J. (2012) Vets' attitudes to chronic pain in dogs. Veterinary Record, 170(25), pp. 653-654. (doi: 10.1136/vr.e4290)
Bell, A.M. , Auckburally, A., Pawson, P., Scott, E.M. and Flaherty, D. (2011) Two doses of dexmedetomidine in combination with buprenorphine for premedication in dogs; a comparison with acepromazine and buprenorphine. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 38(1), pp. 15-23. (doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2010.00576.x)
Pizzi, R., Girling, S., Bell, A. , Tjolle, A., Brown, D. and Devine, C. (2011) Laparoscopic-assisted cryptorchidectomy in an adult reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). Veterinary Medicine International, 2011, 131368. (doi: 10.4061/2011/131368) (PMID:21647390) (PMCID:PMC3103838)
Book Sections
Bell, A. M. , Polgár, E., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Boyle, K. A. and Todd, A. J. (2020) Functional populations among interneurons in the dorsal horn. In: Fritzsch, B. (ed.) The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference. Second Edition. Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, pp. 207-219. ISBN 9780128054093 (doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.24171-0)
Conference or Workshop Item
Bell, A. and Hammond, J. (2018) Directly Observed Procedural Skills – What do the Assessors Think? VetEd Symposium 2018, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 05-06 Jul 2018.
Grants
Grants and Awards listed are those received whilst working with the University of Glasgow.
- The Role of the Anterolateral System in Neuropathic Pain
Wellcome Trust
2024 - 2029
- Targeting Canine Sensory Neurons for Analgesia - a Multiomics Approach
Institut Analgesia
2023 - 2025
- The role of excitatory spinal interneurons in post-operative pain
Academy of Medical Sciences
2022 - 2024
- Spinal Circuits for Post-operative Pain
Tenovus Scotland
2021 - 2023
- Defining the organisational logic of the anterolateral system in neuropathic pain
Wellcome Trust
2021 - 2022
- Contamination of multiuse butorphanol vials in general practices in the UK
Petsavers
2013 - 2014
Supervision
- Ledesma Fernandez, Paula
Single Cell Transcriptomics of Canine Sensory Neurons
Research datasets
2023
Todd, A. , Polgar, E., Dickie, A., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Bell, A. , Goffin, L., Quillet, R. and Watanabe, M. (2023) Characterisation of NPFF-expressing neurons in the superficial dorsal horn of the mouse spinal cord. [Data Collection]
2022
Todd, A. , Polgar, E., Dickie, A., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Bell, A. , Boyle, K. and Quillet, R. (2022) Grpr expression defines a population of superficial dorsal horn vertical cells that have a role in both itch and pain. [Data Collection]