Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Nociception01:44

Nociception

29.3K
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.
29.3K
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers01:24

Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers

924
Local anesthetics (LAs) block the sodium channels of nerve trunks, sensory nerve endings, and neuromuscular junctions. Although LAs can block all kinds of nerves, the sensitivity of nerve fibers differs according to nerve types and structures. LAs are known to block myelinated fibers faster than unmyelinated ones. Also, they block pain or sensory neurons at low concentrations without affecting the motor neurons involved in muscle contractions. This helps relieve labor pain without affecting the...
924
Thermosensation01:43

Thermosensation

31.7K
Peripheral thermosensation is the perception of external temperature. A change in temperature (on the surface of the skin and other tissues) is detected by a family of temperature-sensitive ion channels called Transient Receptor Potential, or TRP, receptors. These receptors are located on free nerve endings. Those detecting cold temperatures are closer to the surface of the skin than the nerve endings detecting warmth. These thermoTRP channels, while temperature selective, have relatively...
31.7K
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

783
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...
783
Sensory Functions of the Skin01:16

Sensory Functions of the Skin

5.6K
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
5.6K
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

2.3K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
2.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Therapeutic optimization of LIPA targeting to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell death in ovarian cancer.

Oncogene·2026
Same author

Constitutive activity among orphan G protein-coupled receptors: Molecular mechanisms and pharmacological perspectives.

Molecular pharmacology·2026
Same author

Pharmacokinetic and Biodistribution Studies of [<sup>18</sup>F]-Taccalonolide: A Covalent Microtubule Stabilizer with Antitumor Efficacy.

ACS medicinal chemistry letters·2025
Same author

A small molecule PKCε inhibitor reduces hyperalgesia induced by paclitaxel or opioid withdrawal.

JCI insight·2025
Same author

Activation of G protein gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels in keratinocytes mediates peripheral kappa opioid receptor-mediated antinociception.

Neuropharmacology·2025
Same author

Insurmountable antagonism of human mu opioid receptors by buprenorphine is due to hemi-equilibrium.

European journal of pharmacology·2024
Same journal

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and dopaminergic systems interact in the ventral tegmental area to regulate food intake in rats.

Neuropharmacology·2026
Same journal

TRPC5 as a Modulator of TRPV1 Signalling in Pathological Pain States.

Neuropharmacology·2026
Same journal

Loss of mGlu<sub>5</sub> receptors from PV inhibitory neurons attenuates sex differences in ethanol and sucrose seeking.

Neuropharmacology·2026
Same journal

PM289, a synthetic CB2 in vitro receptor agonist, modulates morphine-induced antinociceptive effect and withdrawal syndrome in an animal model of osteoarthritic pain.

Neuropharmacology·2026
Same journal

Purinergic-cytokine signaling as a regulatory axis in neuroimmune development.

Neuropharmacology·2026
Same journal

Acupuncture Improves Depressive Symptoms and Prefrontal Cortical Function in Mild to Moderate Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial and fNIRS study.

Neuropharmacology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 4, 2025

Tissue Preparation and Immunostaining of Mouse Sensory Nerve Fibers Innervating Skin and Limb Bones
10:25

Tissue Preparation and Immunostaining of Mouse Sensory Nerve Fibers Innervating Skin and Limb Bones

Published on: January 26, 2012

23.3K

Age-related changes in peripheral nociceptor function.

Elaine M Jennings1, Laura C Sullivan1, Raehannah J Jamshidi1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA.

Neuropharmacology
|July 14, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Pain sensitivity in elderly rats is heightened due to age-related changes in nociceptors. Specifically, aged rats show increased responses to inflammatory mediators and TRP channel activators, suggesting a role in age-related pain incidence.

Keywords:
AgingInflammationNociceptorOpioidsPainPeripheralTRP receptors

More Related Videos

Measuring Changes in Tactile Sensitivity in the Hind Paw of Mice Using an Electronic von Frey Apparatus
07:49

Measuring Changes in Tactile Sensitivity in the Hind Paw of Mice Using an Electronic von Frey Apparatus

Published on: December 19, 2013

34.4K
Advanced Glycation End-Products Sensitize Human Sensory-Like Neuron Cells to Capsaicin-Induced Calcium Influx
06:05

Advanced Glycation End-Products Sensitize Human Sensory-Like Neuron Cells to Capsaicin-Induced Calcium Influx

Published on: May 2, 2025

575

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 4, 2025

Tissue Preparation and Immunostaining of Mouse Sensory Nerve Fibers Innervating Skin and Limb Bones
10:25

Tissue Preparation and Immunostaining of Mouse Sensory Nerve Fibers Innervating Skin and Limb Bones

Published on: January 26, 2012

23.3K
Measuring Changes in Tactile Sensitivity in the Hind Paw of Mice Using an Electronic von Frey Apparatus
07:49

Measuring Changes in Tactile Sensitivity in the Hind Paw of Mice Using an Electronic von Frey Apparatus

Published on: December 19, 2013

34.4K
Advanced Glycation End-Products Sensitize Human Sensory-Like Neuron Cells to Capsaicin-Induced Calcium Influx
06:05

Advanced Glycation End-Products Sensitize Human Sensory-Like Neuron Cells to Capsaicin-Induced Calcium Influx

Published on: May 2, 2025

575

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology
  • Pain Research

Background:

  • Pain management in the elderly is a significant challenge.
  • Pain perception involves nociceptors transmitting signals to the central nervous system.
  • Age-related sensory changes are complex, with some senses declining while others may be altered.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate age-related differences in nociceptor sensitivity to thermal and mechanical stimuli.
  • To examine the impact of inflammatory mediators and TRP channel activators on nociception in young versus aged rats.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of different opioid receptor agonists in modulating pain sensitivity in aged rats.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of hindpaw nociceptor sensitivity in young (4-5 months) and aged (26-27 months) F344xBN rats.
  • Intraplantar injections of inflammatory mediators (bradykinin, prostaglandin E2) and TRP channel activators (capsaicin, mustard oil, menthol).
  • Assessment of anti-allodynic effects of kappa, delta, and mu opioid receptor agonists; analysis of cAMP signaling in sensory neuron cultures.

Main Results:

  • Nociceptor sensitivity to direct thermal and mechanical stimulation did not differ between young and aged rats.
  • Aged rats exhibited greater allodynia (pain hypersensitivity) in response to bradykinin, prostaglandin E2, and TRP channel activators.
  • Kappa and delta opioid receptor agonists showed greater anti-allodynic effects in aged rats, unlike mu opioid agonists which were ineffective.

Conclusions:

  • Age-related changes in nociceptors generally enhance pain signaling, contributing to increased pain incidence in the elderly.
  • Peripheral sensory neurons in aged rats show altered cAMP signaling responses to opioid receptor agonists.
  • Peripherally-restricted kappa or delta opioid receptor agonists may offer safer and effective pain relief for the elderly population.