Neuroscience bulletin
-
Neuroscience bulletin · Feb 2012
Activation of glycine site and GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors is necessary for ERK/CREB signaling cascade in rostral anterior cingulate cortex in rats: implications for affective pain.
The rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) is implicated in processing the emotional component of pain. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are highly expressed in the rACC and mediate pain-related affect by activating a signaling pathway that involves cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) and/or extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)/cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB). The present study investigated the contributions of the NMDAR glycine site and GluN2B subunit to the activation of ERK and CREB both in vitro and in vivo in rat rACC. ⋯ Either the glycine site or the GluN2B subunit of NMDARs participates in the phosphorylation of ERK and CREB induced by bath application of NMDA in brain slices or hindpaw injection of 5% formalin in rats, and these might be fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying pain affect.
-
Neuroscience bulletin · Feb 2012
Involvement of microglia and interleukin-18 in the induction of long-term potentiation of spinal nociceptive responses induced by tetanic sciatic stimulation.
The present study aimed to investigate the potential roles of spinal microglia and downstream molecules in the induction of spinal long-term potentiation (LTP) and mechanical allodynia by tetanic stimulation of the sciatic nerve (TSS). ⋯ The IL-18 signaling pathway in microglia is involved in TSS-induced spinal LTP and mechanical allodynia.
-
The concept of pain has remained a topic of long debate since its emergence in ancient times. The initial ideas of pain were formulated in both the East and the West before 1800. Since 1800, due to the development of experimental sciences, different theories of pain have emerged and become central topics of debate. ⋯ Thus, intensive research is required. This historical review mainly focuses on the development of pain theories and the fundamental discoveries in this field. Other historical events associated with pain therapies and remedies are beyond the scope of this review.
-
Neuroscience bulletin · Aug 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialA double-blind, placebo-controlled study of traditional Chinese medicine sarsasapogenin added to risperidone in patients with negative symptoms dominated schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE To identify whether sarsasapogenin, a sapogenin from the Chinese medicinal herb Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Bunge, would augment the efficacy of risperidone and significantly improve cognitive functions in patients with negative symptoms dominated schizophrenia. METHODS The trial was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design. The eligible patients were randomized into 2 treatment groups: sarsasapogenin group (sarsasapogenin plus risperidone for 8 weeks, n = 41) and placebo group (risperidone only for 8 weeks, n = 39). ⋯ The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events in patients treated with sarsasapogenin was not different from that observed in placebo group. CONCLUSION Sarsasapogenin did not augment the efficacy of risperidone in treating negative symptoms dominated schizophrenia. Sarsasapogenin at a dosage of 200 mg per day added to a flexible dosage of risperidone at 2-4 mg per day is safe and well tolerated by patients with negative symptoms dominated schizophrenia.
-
Neuroscience bulletin · Aug 2011
Bilateral mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia after chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion in mice.
OBJECTIVE Low back pain is one of the most inextricable problems encountered in clinics. Animal models that imitate symptoms in humans are valuable tools for investigating low back pain mechanisms and the possible therapeutic applications. With the development of genetic technology in pain field, the possibility of mutating specific genes in mice has provided a potent tool for investigating the specific mechanisms of pain. ⋯ In addition, this mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia as well as tactile allodynia was also found to spread to the contralateral hindpaw. CONCLUSION This model, combined with the possible genetic modification, will strengthen our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of low back pain. It also favors the development of new treatment strategies for pain and hyperalgesia after spinal injury and other disorders which affect the dorsal root ganglion in humans.