Peripheral mechanisms of chronic pain

Qin Zheng, Xintong Dong, Dustin P. Green, Xinzhong Dong

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    25 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Acutely, pain serves to protect us from potentially harmful stimuli, however damage to the somatosensory system can cause maladaptive changes in neurons leading to chronic pain. Although acute pain is fairly well controlled, chronic pain remains difficult to treat. Chronic pain is primarily a neuropathic condition, but studies examining the mechanisms underlying chronic pain are now looking beyond afferent nerve lesions and exploring new receptor targets, immune cells, and the role of the autonomic nervous system in contributing chronic pain conditions. The studies outlined in this review reveal how chronic pain is not only confined to alterations in the nervous system and presents findings on new treatment targets and for this debilitating disease.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)251-270
    Number of pages20
    JournalMedical Review
    Volume2
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jun 1 2022

    Keywords

    • Chronic pain
    • DRG neurons
    • Glia
    • Immune cells
    • Peripheral mechanisms

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Medicine

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