Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
07:55
In Vivo Calcium Imaging of Neuronal Ensembles in Networks of Primary Sensory Neurons in Intact Trigeminal Ganglia
Published on: August 1, 2025
656
Astrocytic Calcium Dynamics Along the Pain Pathway
Jeiwon Cho1, Yeowool Huh2,3
1Brain and Cognitive Science, Scranton College, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
|November 16, 2020
Summary
Reactive astrocytes play a key role in chronic pain. Astrocytic calcium signaling, influenced by inflammation, may trigger this transition and impact pain pathways.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Pain Research
Background:
- Astrocytes, once considered passive glial cells, are now recognized as active participants in central nervous system (CNS) function.
- They play crucial roles in nutrient supply, maintaining homeostasis, and modulating synaptic transmission.
- Emerging evidence highlights their significant involvement in the regulation of chronic pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of astrocytic calcium signaling in the context of chronic pain.
- To explore the channels involved in astrocytic calcium dynamics.
- To discuss astrocyte activation along the pain pathway and its relation to chronic pain.
Main Methods:
- This mini-review synthesizes current research on astrocyte function and calcium signaling in pain.
- It examines studies investigating reactive astrocytes and their effects.
- Literature review focusing on astrocytic calcium, inflammatory molecules, and pain pathways.
Main Results:
- Reactive astrocytes, induced by injury, can exert neuroprotective or neurodegenerative effects in chronic pain.
- Astrocytic calcium increase, modulated by inflammatory molecules, is a proposed trigger for astrocyte activation.
- Astrocyte activation occurs along the pain pathway, suggesting a role in pain signaling.
Conclusions:
- Astrocytes are critical modulators of chronic pain, with their activation state influencing pain perception.
- Astrocytic calcium dynamics are central to understanding astrocyte activation and their role in pain.
- Further research into astrocytic calcium signaling may reveal novel therapeutic targets for chronic pain management.
More Related Videos
09:07In Vivo Calcium Imaging of Neuronal Ensembles in Networks of Primary Sensory Neurons in Intact Dorsal Root Ganglia
Published on: February 10, 2023
3.3K
06:34In Vivo Thoracic Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) Calcium Imaging and ECG Recording for Studying Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Published on: August 16, 2024
1.4K
Related Concept Videos
01:27Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
3.7K
Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
3.7K
01:30Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
3.4K
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
3.4K
01:44Nociception
32.5K
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.
32.5K
01:19The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
3.5K
A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential....
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential....
3.5K
01:20Pain
1.0K
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...
1.0K
01:26Chemical Synapses
10.7K
Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
10.7K