Sensory pharmacology

During the last decade, evidence has been accumulated to demonstrate that a subpopulation of peptide-containing primary afferent neurones serve a dual sensory-efferent function. Considerable effort has been put into the development of pharmacological tools to modulate the release and/or the postjunctional effects of transmitters of primary afferents. This commentary summarizes the different approaches designated to achieve this goal, which, if successful, will lead to true 'sensory pharmacology'.