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Related Concept Videos

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...
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Pain serves as a critical warning signal that alerts the body to potential or actual harm. When mechanical pressure on the skin is intense, such as from a sharp pinch, the sensation transitions from touch to pain. Similarly, extreme temperatures, like a hot pot handle, convert the sensation of heat into pain. Pain can also result from overstimulation of other senses, such as blinding light, loud noise, or the intense heat from habañero peppers. This ability to sense pain is essential for...
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The hypothalamus is a small yet highly complex and essential brain region that plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions. Anatomically, it is located at the base of the brain, just above the brainstem and below the thalamus, forming part of the limbic system.
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Intracranial Pharmacotherapy and Pain Assays in Rodents
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Nucleus accumbens facilitates nociception.

Robert W Gear1, Jon D Levine

  • 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0440, USA.

Experimental Neurology
|April 5, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a key role in pain modulation. Activating opioid receptors in the NAc can reduce pain, while altering NAc output can either decrease or increase nociception.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pain Research
  • Opioid Signaling

Background:

  • The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is implicated in pain modulation via opioid pathways.
  • Previous work showed NAc mu- and delta-opioid receptors mediate antinociception from noxious stimuli.
  • Spinal administration of a mu-opioid agonist (DAMGO) also induces antinociception.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify intra-NAc opioid receptors mediating antinociception from spinal DAMGO.
  • To investigate the role of NAc efferent activity in modulating nociception.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were used to study the effects of intra-NAc drug administration.
  • Opioid receptor antagonists (CTOP, naltrindole) and a sodium channel blocker (QX-314) were administered intra-NAc.
  • Excitatory amino acid agonist kainate was injected into the NAc.
  • The jaw-opening reflex (JOR) was used as a measure of nociception.

Main Results:

  • Intra-NAc antagonists CTOP and naltrindole blocked the antinociceptive effect of spinal DAMGO.
  • Intra-NAc QX-314 attenuated the JOR, indicating NAc output is pronociceptive.
  • Intra-NAc kainate enhanced the JOR.

Conclusions:

  • Intra-NAc mu- and delta-opioid receptors are critical for antinociception induced by spinal DAMGO.
  • NAc efferent activity can bidirectionally control nociception, either attenuating or enhancing pain.
  • The NAc may play a significant role in regulating overall nociceptive sensitivity.