The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology

The Korean Society of Pharmacology (대한약리학회)
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Altered synaptic connections and inhibitory network of the primary somatosensory cortex in chronic pain

  • Kim, Yoo Rim (Departments of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Sang Jeong (Departments of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2021.12.06
  • Accepted : 2021.12.22
  • Published : 2022.03.01
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Abstract

Chronic pain is induced by tissue or nerve damage and is accompanied by pain hypersensitivity (i.e., allodynia and hyperalgesia). Previous studies using in vivo two-photon microscopy have shown functional and structural changes in the primary somatosensory (S1) cortex at the cellular and synaptic levels in inflammatory and neuropathic chronic pain. Furthermore, alterations in local cortical circuits were revealed during the development of chronic pain. In this review, we summarize recent findings regarding functional and structural plastic changes of the S1 cortex and alteration of the S1 inhibitory network in chronic pain. Finally, we discuss potential neuromodulators driving modified cortical circuits and suggest further studies to understand the cortical mechanisms that induce pain hypersensitivity.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by National Research Foundation of Korea grants funded by the Korea government to YRK (NRF-2020R1I1A1A01065791) and to SJK (NRF-2018R1A5A2025964 and NRF-2017M3C7A1029611).

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