The periaqueductal gray in chronic low back pain: dysregulated neurotransmitters and function.

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

Mechanisms underlying chronic pain are insufficiently understood, hampering effective treatment approaches. Preclinical evidence suggests a potential contribution of decreased excitatory (glutamatergic) and increased inhibitory (γ-aminobutyric acid [GABA]ergic) neurotransmission in the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a key descending pain modulatory brainstem area. This magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) study investigated (1) whether a lower excitatory/inhibitory balance is also observed in the PAG of patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP) and (2) whether the excitatory/inhibitory balance relates to psychophysical measures of descending pain modulation and pain sensitivity. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy was acquired on a 3T MR system in 41 patients with CL

SUBMITTER: Sirucek L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12168810 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature