Microglia sustain anterior cingulate cortex neuronal hyperactivity in nicotine-induced pain.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Long-term smoking is a risk factor for chronic pain, and chronic nicotine exposure induces pain-like effects in rodents. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been demonstrated to be associated with pain and substance abuse. This study aims to investigate whether ACC microglia are altered in response to chronic nicotine exposure and their interaction with ACC neurons and subsequent nicotine-induced allodynia in mice.

Methods

We utilized a mouse model that was fed nicotine water for 28 days. Brain slices of the ACC were collected for morphological analysis to evaluate the impacts of chronic nicotine on microglia. In vivo calcium imaging and whole-cell patch clamp were used to record the excitability of ACC glutamatergic neurons.

Results

Compared to the veh

SUBMITTER: Long DD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10031886 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature