Synaptic plasticity in pain

Abstract

Primary sensory neurons respond to peripheral stimulation by projecting to the spinal cord, where a population of neurons respond to damaging stimuli and terminate in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn. Therefore, the dorsal horns constitute the first relay site for nociceptive fibre terminals which make synaptic contacts with second-order neurons. It has recently become clear, however, that the strength of this first pain synapse is plastic and modifiable by several modulators-including neuronal and non-neuronal regulators-and studies on the fundamental processes regulating this plasticity have resulted in the identification of new targets for the treatment of chronic pain. With special emphasis on neuropathic pain, Synaptic Plasticity in Pain examines these targets and mechanisms for chronic pain in the dorsal horn, providing up-to-date research from the world's foremost pain experts. The book also delineates anatomical circuits for pain in the dorsal horn, explores the fast and slow transmissions at the pain synapse, and discusses how synaptic plasticity can be monitored in the dorsal horn during pain transmission. Synaptic Plasticity in Pain is published at a time of intensive experimental research aimed at finding new mechanisms and targets for the treatment of chronic pain. This book will be of importance to a wide readership in the pain field including PhD students, doctoral scientists, and academics. It will also appeal to scientists who are interested in synaptic plasticity associated with other CNS functions, and to private sector drug discovery teams, who will find solid scientific support to their research in these pages.