A top-down neural circuit for affective-motivational responses of pain relief induced by electroacupuncture.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Peripheral neuromodulation, which can be considered as a flow of signals from the body to the brain, influences mental and psychological states. However, whether peripheral neuromodulation, particularly electroacupuncture (EA), may regulate specific neural circuits and evoke affective‒motivational responses remains elusive. Here, we investigate the affective-motivational responses of pain relief following the application of EA in human and animal models in the context of pain.

Methods

The conditioned place preference (CPP), open field test and elevated plus maze tests were used to examine the affective‒motivational responses of pain relief induced by EA in different animal models of pain. EA at acupoint ST36 (2 Hz) was administered. Multi‒electrode array recording

SUBMITTER: Liu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12950241 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature