title: Evidence for spinal N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor involvement in prolonged chemical nociception in the rat.
abstract: We used in vivo electrophysiology and a model of more persistent nociceptive inputs to monitor spinal cord neuronal activity in anaesthetised rats to reveal the pharmacology of enhanced pain signalling. The study showed that all responses were blocked by non-selective antagonism of glutamate receptors but a selective and preferential role of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the prolonged plastic responses was clearly seen. The work lead to many publications, initially preclinical but increasingly from patient studies, showing the importance of the NMDA receptor in central sensitisation within the spinal cord and how this could relate to persistent pain states. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI:50th Anniversary Issue.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College, London WC1E6BT, United Kingdom; Edinburgh Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Haley
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College, London WC1E6BT, United Kingdom; Edinburgh Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: anthony.dickenson@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Anthony H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Dickenson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059333:Central Nervous System Sensitization; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D059225:Nociception / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D005557:Formaldehyde
keywords: Central sensitisation; N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors; Pain; Spinal cord