عنوان

Plasticity in descending pain modulatory systems

(Number (ISBN

9780444505095

Number

b604903

Title Proper

Plasticity in descending pain modulatory systems

General Material Designation

[Book]

First Statement of Responsibility

Antti Pertovaara Affiliation: Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland

Text of Note

The development of experimental animal models of neuropathy and other chronic pain conditions has provided the possibility to study cellular mechanisms underlying pathophysiological pain. The studies performed using these models have provided abundant evidence indicating that various pathophysiological conditions may cause dramatic changes in the transmission and modulation of pain-related information. The nerve ligation produces a number of changes in pain transmission and modulation pathways that may contribute to neuropathic symptoms. The injury discharge at the time of surgery appears to trigger central mechanisms involving glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brainstem as well as in the spinal cord that contribute to the development and maintenance of hyperalgesia. The analgesic efficacy of various drugs, including those acting on descending controls, is also changed by this model of neuropathy. Neurophysiological studies have revealed increased spontaneous activity and enhanced mechanical responsiveness in the presumed spinal pain-relay neurons.

Class number

Book number

Antti Pertovaara Affiliation: Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland

Antti Pertovaara Affiliation: Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland

Electronic name

[Book]

Y