Pain: current aspects on peripheral and central sensitization.
OBJECTIVE
Current research has focused on the biochemical and structural plasticity of the nervous system secondary to tissue injury. The mechanisms involved in the transition from acute to chronic pain are complex and involve the interaction of receptor systems and the flow of intracellular ions, second messenger systems, and new synaptic connections. The aim of this article was to discuss the new mechanisms concerning peripheral and central sensitization.


BACKGROUND
Tissue injury increases the response of nociceptors, known as sensitization or facilitation. These phenomena begin after the local release of inflammatory mediators and the activation of the cells of the immune system or specific receptors in the peripheral and central nervous system.


CONCLUSIONS
Tissue and neuronal lesions result in sensitization of the nociceptors and facilitation of the central and peripheral nervous conduction.
Rocha
Anita Perpétua Carvalho
AP
CET/SBA da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu da Universidade Estadual de São Paulo (FMB-UNESP), Botucatu, SP. anitaperpetua@bol.com.br
Kraychete
Durval Campos
DC
Lemonica
Lino
L
de Carvalho
Lídia Raquel
LR
de Barros
Guilherme Antônio Moreira
GA
Garcia
João Batista dos Santos
JB
Sakata
Rioko Kimiko
RK