GSE162284
Highly synchronized cortical circuit dynamics revealed by a new mouse model of neuropathic pain
The cerebral cortex plays a key role in the multi-dimensional human pain experience. However, the neural mechanisms mediating pain-related cortical activity remain largely unknown, particularly in primary somatosensory cortex (S1). We therefore developed a new animal model of trigeminal neuralgia, a prototypical neuropathic pain, which allowed us to evaluate pain-related cortical dynamics with unprecedented translational relevance. Our novel model (FLIT: Foramen Lacerum Impingement of Trigeminal-nerve) displayed robust clinically relevant trigeminal neuralgia-like behaviors, including asymmetric facial grimacing, dental pain-like behaviors, anxiety-like behavior, and sexual dysfunction, capturing many features of the human pain experience. Awake FLIT mice exhibited highly synchronized spontaneous population activity in S1, due to GABAergic interneuron hypoactivity. Remarkably, clinically effective treatments including carbamazepine and trigeminal nerve root decompression abrogated S1 synchronization and alleviated trigeminal neuralgia-like behaviors. These results reveal synchronized S1 activity as a new and important cortical substrate of neuropathic pain, which can be clinically targeted to provide effective therapy. Overall design: Mice cortical mRNA of the FLIT pain mouse model at day 3 and day 21 as well as contols at day 0 Mouse models: FLIT: Foramen Lacerum Impingement of Trigeminal-nerve