The Role of Microglia in Neuropathic Pain

Abstract: Neuropathic pain has severe effects on patients?physical and mental health. Recent evidence indicates that microglia activated by inflammation or injury of peripheral nerve system， expressing and releasing a series of mediators， are key cellular regulators in the causation and transmission of the neuropathic pain. Taken together， these findings not only greatly improve people's understanding on pain， but also suggest a new， dramatically different approach to explore the communications between neuron and glia. Additionally， the continuing progress in the neuropathic pain will ultimately lead to development of new analgesic drugs， based on microglia response that follows nerve trauma or injury in the peripheral or central nervous system.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2007.01.0003