Varsity Don Explores Brain Signals In Addiction, Chronic Pain

A professor of Anatomy and Structural Biology at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Abayomi Ajayi, has delivered the institution’s 19th inaugural lecture,

shedding light on how tiny brain messengers influence addiction, chronic pain and human behaviour.

The lecture titled, “Structures and Signals: How Tiny Brain Messengers Help Us Understand and Treat Addiction and Pain”, was delivered on Tuesday at the University Auditorium.

The scholar examined the scientific relationship between brain signalling, neuroscience, addiction and pain management.

Ajayi explained that Anatomy and Structural Biology focus on the study of human structures from the whole organism to the molecular level, stressing their importance in modern medicine, neuroscience and healthcare research.

According to him, neuropeptides — tiny brain messengers — regulate communication within the nervous system and play vital roles in emotions, pleasure, memory, pain perception and behaviour.

“These signalling molecules play critical roles in addiction and chronic pain pathways,” he said.

The professor identified major structures within the brain’s reward circuit, including the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA), Nucleus Accumbens, Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala and Hippocampus, explaining how they interact in the development of addiction and chronic pain conditions.

He described addiction as a growing public health concern in Nigeria, citing the increasing abuse of cannabis, tramadol and codeine, especially among young people. He noted that the consequences include mental health disorders, crime, low productivity and rising healthcare burdens.

Drawing from his research on FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) in Holothuria scabra, Professor Ajayi explained how neuropeptides influence dopamine release, pain modulation and neural signalling.

He said his studies contributed to the identification of native FaRPs, SALMFamide precursor genes and the development of a cost-effective Dot Immunoblot Assay suitable for resource-limited laboratories.

The inaugural lecturer further highlighted the therapeutic potential of neuropeptides in reducing addiction cravings, regulating pain signalling and protecting against memory dysfunction caused by substance abuse.

He also emphasized that healthy habits such as quality sleep and regular exercise could stimulate beneficial neuropeptide production and support mental and neurological wellbeing.

Professor Ajayi called for greater investment in Basic Medical Sciences, rehabilitation centres and interdisciplinary research aimed at tackling addiction and chronic pain challenges across Africa.

He urged government to close the treatment gap in addiction management through improved healthcare policies and stronger rehabilitation systems, while also calling on society to support individuals struggling with addiction.

The scholar, who has spent more than two decades in academic service, was celebrated as the first Professor of Anatomy at the University, the first Professor from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, the first from the College of Health Sciences and the first specialist in Anatomy and Structural Biology in Nigeria.

Earlier, Chairman of the Inaugural Lecture Committee, Professor Sunday Salifu Arogba, congratulated the lecturer on the academic milestone and commended the Vice-Chancellor for revitalizing the inaugural lecture series.

He reaffirmed the University Management’s commitment to sustaining the lectures on a biweekly basis to strengthen scholarship and intellectual engagement within the institution.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, described the lecture as a significant intellectual milestone and reiterated the University’s commitment to promoting scholarship, innovation and impactful research.

He praised Professor Ajayi for his academic contributions and groundbreaking research, noting that the lecture reflected the institution’s vision of advancing globally relevant scholarship and scientific innovation.

Highlights of the event included the presentation of an inaugural lecture certificate and plaque to the lecturer, as well as a cash award of ₦500,000 presented by the Provost of the College of Health Sciences as part of the College’s reward system for inaugural lecturers.