“Listening” and “talking” to neurons: implications of immune activation for pain control and increasing the efficacy of opioids
LR Watkins, MR Hutchinson, ED Milligan… - Brain research reviews, 2007 - Elsevier
It is recently become clear that activated immune cells and immune-like glial cells can
dramatically alter neuronal function. By increasing neuronal excitability, these non-neuronal
cells are now implicated in the creation and maintenance of pathological pain, such as
occurs in response to peripheral nerve injury. Such effects are exerted at multiple sites along
the pain pathway, including at peripheral nerves, dorsal root ganglia, and spinal cord. In
addition, activated glial cells are now recognized as disrupting the pain suppressive effects …
dramatically alter neuronal function. By increasing neuronal excitability, these non-neuronal
cells are now implicated in the creation and maintenance of pathological pain, such as
occurs in response to peripheral nerve injury. Such effects are exerted at multiple sites along
the pain pathway, including at peripheral nerves, dorsal root ganglia, and spinal cord. In
addition, activated glial cells are now recognized as disrupting the pain suppressive effects …