Bidirectional modulation of somatostatin-expressing interneurons in the basolateral amygdala reduces neuropathic pain perception in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Neuropathic pain is characterized by mechanical allodynia and thermal (heat and cold) hypersensitivity, yet the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Methods

Using chemogenetic excitation and inhibition, we examined the role of inhibitory interneurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in modulating pain perception following nerve injury.

Results

Chemogenetic excitation of parvalbumin-positive (PV⁺) interneurons significantly alleviated mechanical allodynia but had minimal effects on thermal hypersensitivity. However, inhibition of PV⁺ interneurons did not produce significant changes in pain sensitivity, suggesting that reductions in perisomatic inhibition do not contribute to chronic pain states. In contrast, bidirec

SUBMITTER: Apte A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12380630 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature