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[Changes in spinal dorsal horn induced by peripheral nerve involvement]
1INSERM U 161, Paris.
Cahiers D'Anesthesiologie
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Peripheral nerve lesions cause secondary changes in the spinal cord dorsal horn, including neurochemical alterations and neuronal sensitization. These central changes may explain pain conditions like allodynia and hyperalgesia in human neuropathies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Spinal Cord Research
- Pain Mechanisms
Context:
- Peripheral nerve damage triggers significant alterations in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.
- These changes involve both structural (neuronal degeneration and regeneration) and chemical modifications within the central nervous system.
Purpose:
- To review the secondary changes occurring in the dorsal horn following peripheral nerve lesions.
- To explore the neurochemical and functional alterations that contribute to central sensitization.
- To link these central nervous system changes to the development of neuropathic pain in humans.
Summary:
- Histological analysis reveals transganglionic and transsynaptic degeneration, alongside altered topographical organization of afferent terminals.
- Neurochemical shifts include decreased levels of substance P and CGRP, and increased synthesis of galanin, VIP, and neuropeptide Y.
- Functional studies indicate spinal neuron sensitization, characterized by increased spontaneous activity and expanded receptive fields, potentially due to reduced inhibition and NMDA receptor activation.
Impact:
- Understanding these central adaptations is crucial for developing targeted therapies for neuropathic pain.
- The findings provide a basis for investigating the mechanisms underlying allodynia and hyperalgesia in peripheral neuropathies.
- This research highlights the complex interplay between peripheral injury and central nervous system reorganization in chronic pain states.