Nociceptive transmission within the spinal cord.
Pain pathways in the spinal cord transmit information about actual or impending tissue damage. There are parallel pathways to both the medial (motivational-affective) and lateral (sensory-discriminative) portions of the system. Endogenous systems modulate pain transmission and ultimately pain perception. These modulatory systems can be accessed pharmacologically by naturally occurring neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Research is being done to identify receptor specific agents that selectively inhibit pain and do not interfere with processing of other information.
Sorkin
L S
LS
Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
D006801:Humans; D009434:Neural Pathways; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission