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Related Concept Videos

Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

Overview
Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells01:31

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that interact...
Nociception01:44

Nociception

Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain. Thus, pain helps the...
Chronic Inflammation: Introduction01:12

Chronic Inflammation: Introduction

Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, dysregulated immune response that persists for weeks to years when the inciting stimulus is difficult to eradicate or when self‑antigens drive ongoing reactivity. Morphologically, it is defined by mononuclear cell infiltration, progressive tissue destruction, and concurrent attempts at healing via angiogenesis and fibrosis. Compared with acute inflammation, edema is less prominent while cellular infiltration predominates; triggers include persistent...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...

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Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation
09:19

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation

Published on: December 8, 2017

Glial cells and chronic pain.

Romain-Daniel Gosselin1, Marc R Suter, Ru-Rong Ji

  • 1Pain Research Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. Romain-Daniel.Gosselin@chuv.ch

The Neuroscientist : a Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry
|June 29, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Glial cells, including astrocytes and microglia, play a key role in chronic pain by altering neuronal pathways. Targeting glial reactions in the nervous system shows promise for developing new pain management therapies.

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Preparation of Primary Mixed Glial Cultures from Adult Mouse Spinal Cord Tissue
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Preparation of Primary Mixed Glial Cultures from Adult Mouse Spinal Cord Tissue

Published on: November 19, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation
09:19

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation

Published on: December 8, 2017

Preparation of Primary Mixed Glial Cultures from Adult Mouse Spinal Cord Tissue
07:13

Preparation of Primary Mixed Glial Cultures from Adult Mouse Spinal Cord Tissue

Published on: November 19, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pain Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Glial cells (astrocytes, microglia, satellite cells, Schwann cells) are increasingly recognized for their role in pathological pain.
  • Glial phenotype changes occur throughout the nociceptive pathway, from peripheral nerves to brain regions.
  • Pharmacological inhibition of glial activation reduces pain in animal models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding the role of central and peripheral glia in chronic pain models.
  • To discuss the potential translation of these findings into human therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of conceptual advances in glial cell involvement in chronic pain.
  • Analysis of mechanisms underlying glial activation, including mitogen-associated protein kinases (MAPKs).
  • Examination of glial contributions to neuronal sensitization via cytokines, neurotrophins, and neurotransmitter scavenging.

Main Results:

  • Glial cells significantly contribute to the development and maintenance of chronic pain states.
  • Specific intracellular cascades, like MAPKs, are involved in glial activation.
  • Glial cells can sensitize nociceptive neurons through various secreted factors and altered neurotransmitter handling.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting glial cells represents a promising therapeutic strategy for pathological pain.
  • Further research is needed to translate findings from animal models to effective human therapies for chronic pain.