Brain research
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Pain and learning memory have striking similarities in synaptic plasticity. Activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors 2B subunits (NR2B-NMDAs) is responsible for the hippocampal LTP in memory formation. In our previous studies, we found the significant enhancement of CA1 hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by high-frequency stimulation (HFS) in rats with chronic visceral pain. ⋯ Accordingly, genistein, a specific inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, dose-dependently blocked the facilitation of hippocampal LTP in IBS-like rats. Furthermore, EMG data revealed that intra-hippocampal injection of Ro 25-6981 dose-dependently attenuated the visceral hypersensitivity. In conclusion, hippocampal NR2B-NMDAs are responsible for the facilitation of CA1 LTP via tyrosine phosphorylation, which leads to visceral hypersensitivity.
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Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established and cost-effective therapy for treating severe chronic pain. However, despite over 40 years of clinical practice and the development of novel electrode designs and treatment protocols, increases in clinical success, defined as the proportion of patients that experience 50% or greater self-reported pain relief, have stalled. ⋯ In addition, this review discusses and critiques current experimental and computational models used to investigate and optimize SCS. Further research into the interactions between SCS and pain pathways in the nervous system using animal and computational models is a fruitful approach to improve this promising therapy.
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Microglia in the spinal cord is evidenced to play a crucial role in neuropathic pain. Spinal P2X4 receptors (P2X4Rs), which are mainly expressed in microglia, have been investigated for their roles in neuropathic pain. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a highly selective agonist of α2-adrenergic receptors, is clinically applied to sedation and analgesia. ⋯ Immunofluorescence assay indicated higher densities of microglia and P2X4Rs, which appeared yellow in colour, suggesting they were co-labelled. Intraperitoneal injections of DEX 40μg/kg for 14 consecutive days markedly reversed the SNI-induced decline of MWT; the activation of microglia was markedly inhibited; in addition, the protein expressions of P2X4Rs, p-p38-MAPK and BDNF were significantly downregulated. Thus, DEX could attenuate the neuropathic pain in SNI rats, of which the mechanism might be related to the down-expressed P2X4Rs, p-p38 and BDNF in microglia of spinal dorsal horn.