New study to enhance chronic pain treatments

Researchers at Kyushu University's Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences have discovered a unique population of spinal cord astrocytes with a role in producing pain hypersensitivity to strengthen the effect of chronic pain treatments.

According to a study using mouse model by Kyushu University, researchers revealed the identification of a unique population of astrocytes in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord of mice that produces pain hypersensitivity when activated by neurons carrying signals down from the brain which indicate the role of descending neurons in controlling spinal pain transmission, not limited to suppression; suggesting this group of astrocytes as a new target to enhance the effect of chronic pain treatments.

According to the study, the astrocytes found near the back of the spinal cord are in a region known to carry general sensory information such as pressure, pain, and heat from around the body to the brain.

With the use of mouse model, the researchers showed that stimulating noradrenergic (NAergic) neurons carry signals from the locus coeruleus (LC) in the brain down to the spinal dorsal horn and activates the astrocytes which result in pain hypersensitivity.

Researchers discovered unique population of spinal cord astrocytes with role in producing pain hypersensitivity to strengthen effect of chronic pain treatments astrocytes found near back of spinal cord are in region known to carry general sensory information such as pressure, pain, and heat from around body to brain.