title: Voltage-gated Na+ channels in neuropathic pain.
abstract: Neuropathic pain occurs as a result of some form of injury to the nervous system. Although the basis of the disease remains to be fully elucidated, numerous studies have suggested a major role for ion channels in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. As Na+ channels play a fundamental role in not only the generation but also in the conduction of an action potential, they have received considerable attention in the aetiology of pain sensation and have become important pharmacological targets. In this review, the authors discuss the importance of specific Na+ channel isoforms in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain and the present use of Na+ channel antagonists in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia Health System, Department of Anesthesiology, Neuroscience Graduate Program, 1 Hospital Drive, Old Medical School, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas James
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Hargus
authors.forename: Manoj Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D062556:NAV1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; D062559:NAV1.8 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; D062558:NAV1.9 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000187:drug effects; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D062556:NAV1.7 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; D062559:NAV1.8 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; D062558:NAV1.9 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; D009479:Neuropeptides; C568317:SCN10A protein, human; C491886:SCN11A protein, human; C486866:SCN9A protein, human; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers; D015222:Sodium Channels