A distinct neuronal ensemble of prelimbic cortex mediates spontaneous pain in rats with peripheral inflammation.

ABSTRACT: The absence of a comprehensive understanding of the neural basis of spontaneous pain limits the development of therapeutic strategies targeting this primary complaint of patients with chronic pain. Here we report a distinct neuronal ensemble within the prelimbic cortex which processes signals related to spontaneous pain in rats with chronic inflammatory pain. This neuronal ensemble specifically encodes spontaneous pain-related behaviors, independently of other locomotive and evoked behaviors. Activation of this neuronal ensemble elicits marked spontaneous pain-like behaviors and enhances nociceptive responses, whereas prolonged silencing of its activities alleviates spontaneous pain and promotes overall recovery from inflammatory pain. Notably, afferents from the primary somatosensory cort

SUBMITTER: Ma L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11387830 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature