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Peripheral axotomy increases cholecystokinin release in the rat anterior cingulate cortex
H Gustafsson1, C O Stiller, E Brodin
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Neuroreport
|November 4, 2000
Summary
Phantom limb pain may involve changes in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). This study found increased cholecystokinin (CCK) release in the ACC following nerve injury, suggesting CCK
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Neurochemistry
Background:
- The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a role in the emotional aspects of pain.
- Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide found in high concentrations within the ACC.
- CCK is implicated in pain modulation and anxiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CCK in the ACC in response to deafferentiation pain.
- To examine changes in CCK release in the ACC after sciatic nerve axotomy in a rat model.
Main Methods:
- Microdialysis in awake rats.
- Unilateral transection of the sciatic nerve (axotomy) to model deafferentiation pain.
- Measurement of potassium-induced release of CCK-like immunoreactivity (CCK-LI) in the ACC.
Main Results:
- A significant bilateral increase (4- to 6-fold) in CCK-LI release was observed in the ACC.
- This increase occurred 2-3 weeks after sciatic nerve axotomy.
- The findings suggest altered CCK neuron activity in the ACC following nerve injury.
Conclusions:
- Altered CCK activity in the ACC may contribute to the affective component of deafferentiation pain conditions.
- CCK in the ACC could be a target for managing the emotional aspects of chronic pain.