Neuroligins and Neuropathic Pain: Insights into Synaptic Plasticity and Pain Transmission

Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition resulting from injury or dysfunction of the nervous system, characterized by hyperalgesia, allodynia, and persistent alterations in sensory perception. Neuroligins, a family of postsynaptic adhesion proteins essential for synapse formation and maturation, have emerged as critical regulators of neuronal plasticity and nociceptive circuit excitability. Recent evidence suggests that dysregulation of neuroligin expression and function can modulate synaptic transmission in pain pathways, contributing to the onset and maintenance of neuropathic pain. This review highlights some findings on the role of neuroligins in neuropathic pain pathophysiology, underscoring molecular mechanisms, interactions with glutamatergic and GABAergic receptors, and their potential as innovative therapeutic targets for chronic pain management.