Glial Activation and Pathological Pain

摘要: Pain is a sensation we have all experienced. For most of us, the pain has been temporary. However, for patients with pathological pain, experience unending, little hope therapeutic relief. Pathological characterized by an amplified response to normally innocuous stimuli, and acute pain. long described as result dysfunctional neuronal activity. While functioning indeed altered, there significant evidence showing that exaggerated regulated activation astrocytes microglia. In astrocytes, microglia are activated signals including substance P, glutamate, fractalkine. Activation glia these substances leads release mediators then act on other neurons. These include family proteins called "proinflammatory cytokines" released from astrocytes. cytokines shown be critical Some also report "extra-territorial" and/or "mirror" image That is, experienced not only in area trauma. extra-territorial perceived arising neighboring healthy tissues outside site rare cases mirror-image such healthy, corresponding body part opposite side body. New data suggest astrocyte communication via gap junctions may mediate spread traditional therapies focused targets, following review describes newly recognized new targets. Moreover, glial-neuronal interactions discussed here likely exclusive but rather play roles behavioral phenomena.