Differential Neuronal Activation of Nociceptive Pathways in Neuropathic Pain After Spinal Cord Injury.

ABSTRACT: Neuropathic pain, a prevalent complication following spinal cord injury (SCI), severely impairs the life quality of patients. No ideal treatment exists due to incomplete knowledge on underlying neural processes. To explore the SCI-induced effect on nociceptive circuits, the protein expression of c-Fos was analyzed as an indicator of neuronal activation in a rat contusion model exhibiting below-level pain. Additional stimuli were delivered to mimic the different peripheral sensory inputs in daily life. Following noxious rather than innocuous or no stimulation, a greater number of spinal dorsal horn (DH) neurons were activated after SCI, mainly in the deep DH. SCI facilitated the activation of excitatory but not inhibitory DH neurons. Moreover, excitatory interneurons expressing protein kina

SUBMITTER: He Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11782389 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature