Abstract
Certain diseases, chemotherapy, or nerve traumas can lead to pathology in the peripheral or central nervous system that causes chronic neuropathic pain. Peripheral and central nociceptive neurons exhibit spontaneous activity and enhanced responsiveness to natural stimulation of their receptive fields. Complex pathological changes occur, including alterations in the distribution of ion channels, growth factors, and neuropeptides; novel interactions between sympathetic fibers and nociceptors; the activation of peripheral and central immune cells; and the synthesis and release of proinflammatory factors. An understanding of the mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain provides the basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of Neuroscience |
Publisher | Elsevier Ltd |
Pages | 749-757 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780080450469 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2009 |
Keywords
- Animal model
- Central pain
- Chemotherapy
- Cytokines
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Ectopic activity
- Immune cells
- Nerve injury
- Neuropathic pain
- Neuropathy
- Pathology
- Postherpetic neuralgia
- Sensitization
- Sodium channels
- Sympathetically maintained pain
- Trauma
- Wallerian degeneration
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience