Insular cortex stimulation alleviates neuropathic pain via ERK phosphorylation in neurons.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

The clinical use of brain stimulation is attractive for patients who have side effects or tolerance. However, studies on insular cortex (IC) stimulation are lacking in neuropathic pain. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of IC stimulation (ICS) on neuropathic pain and to determine how ICS modulates pain.

Methods

Changes in pain behaviors were observed following ICS with various parameters in neuropathic rats. Western blotting was performed to assess molecular changes in the expression levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK), neurons, astrocytes, and microglia between experimental groups. Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate the colocalization of pERK with different cell types.

Results

The most effective p

SUBMITTER: Kim K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10173725 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature