Neurochemical research
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Neurochemical research · Sep 2019
N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptors in the Prelimbic Cortex are Critical for the Maintenance of Neuropathic Pain.
The mechanisms underlying chronic and neuropathic pain pathology involve peripheral and central sensitisation. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) seems to participate in pain chronification, and glutamatergic neurotransmission may be involved in this process. Thus, the aim of the present work was to investigate the participation of the prelimbic (PrL) area of the mPFC in neuropathic pain as well as the role of N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors in neuropathic pain induced by a modified sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) protocol in Wistar rats. ⋯ Mechanism of neuropathic pain. The infusion of CoCl2, a synapse activity blocker, into the prelimbic (PrL) division of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) decreased the severity of mechanical allodynia, showing the late participation of the limbic cortex. The glutamatergic system potentiates chronic neuropathic pain via NMDA receptor activation in the PrL cortex.