Central nervous system mechanisms for pain modulation.
Although a great deal has been learned about the neural basis for stimulation-produced analgesia, it is evident that the 'analgesia systems' are much more complex than was initially thought. Part of the complexity derives from the fact that a number of different pathways, using several different neurotransmitters, can affect nociceptive transmission. Further complexity stems from evidence that nociceptive transmission can be modulated both at a spinal cord level and at higher levels of the nociceptive projection system, such as the thalamus. Hopefully, a greater understanding of the 'analgesia systems' will lead to explanations for a number of puzzling aspects of pain and perhaps to improved therapy.
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009433:Neural Inhibition; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010487:Periaqueductal Gray / Q000503:physiopathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000503:physiopathology