title: Endogenous facilitation: from molecular mechanisms to persistent pain.
abstract: It is well documented that sensory transmission, including pain, is subject to endogenous inhibitory modulatory influences at dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Recent results, from behavioral to molecular studies, demonstrate that endogenous modulatory systems are bi-phasic, including inhibitory as well as new facilitatory systems. In this review, we propose the existence of endogenous facilitatory systems in the brain, and review evidence supporting the hypothesis. We believe that understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms of endogenous facilitatory systems hold the hope for better future treatment of patients with chronic pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, 1 King's College Circle, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A8.
authors.forename: Daphne A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Amelita A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Calejesan
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Gerald F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Gebhart
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhuo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D025461:Feedback, Physiological; D008959:Models, Neurological; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications*