Astrocyte inhibition and PV interneuron activation: key mechanisms in electroacupuncture's effect on pain-anxiety comorbidity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evidence indicates that the interplay between pain and anxiety poses clinical challenges for the evaluation and management of chronic pain, yet effective therapies for these comorbidities are limited. This study aimed to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) on pain-anxiety comorbidities.

Methods

Mice injected with Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in the ipsilateral hind paw developed persistent inflammatory pain and anxiety-like behaviors, as assessed by the von Frey, open field, elevated plus maze, and novelty-suppressed feeding tests. EA was administered 12-17d after CFA injection with once daily. rAAV virus and chemogenetics were used to manipulate parvalbumin (PV) interneurons and astrocytes excitation in the anterior cingulate corte

SUBMITTER: Fang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12403460 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature