The neurons in NAc core receiving ACC excitatory afferents contribute to chronic postoperative pain.

ABSTRACT: Chronic postoperative pain (CPOP) remains a significant clinical challenge, with central sensitization being an important mechanism. However, the neuronal circuit-mediated mechanisms associated with this disorder are poorly understood. Here, we identified the nucleus accumbens core (AcbC) received excitatory projections from calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)-positive neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), playing an important role in the development of CPOP. We demonstrated that the AcbC neurons displayed the enhanced responses to both non-nociceptive and nociceptive stimuli following skin/muscle incision and retraction. Furthermore, fiber photometry and electrophysiological recordings confirmed that the activity of the ACC^CaMKII-AcbC pathway was a

SUBMITTER: Xu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12663733 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature