Evidence and explanation for the involvement of the nucleus accumbens in pain processing

摘要: The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a subcortical brain structure known primarily for its roles in pleasure, reward, and addiction. Despite less focus on the NAc pain research, it also plays large role mediation of effective as source analgesia. Evidence this involvement lies NAc’s cortical connections, functions, pharmacology, therapeutic targeting. projects to receives information from notable structures, such prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate periaqueductal gray, habenula, thalamus, etc. Additionally, other pain-modulating structures share functions involving opioid regulation motivational emotional processing, which each work beyond simply rewarding experience offset. Pharmacologically speaking, responds heavily painful stimuli, due high density μ receptors activation several different neurotransmitter systems NAc, opioids, dopamine, calcitonin gene-related peptide, γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, substance P, have been shown elicit analgesic effects. In both preclinical clinical models, deep stimulation has elicited successful multi-functional important behavior, motivation avoiding just survival seeking pleasure. It possible, then, that must be involved pleasure order help determine salience positive negative events.