Pain is not just a matter of nerves
The sensation of pain occurs when neural pathways conduct excitation generated by tissue damage to the spinal cord, where the nociceptive information is extensively pre-processed. From there, the information is transmitted to the human brain, where the sensation of “pain” is finally created. This is the general belief. However, researchers from the Division of Neurophysiology at MedUni Vienna’s Center for Brain Research have now discovered that pain is not just a matter of nerves but that non-neuronal cells, the glial cells, are also involved in clinically relevant pain models and their activation is sufficient to amplify pain. The study has now been published in the leading journal “Science”.
Source:
https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/en/about-us/news/detailseite/2016/news-in-november-2016/pain-is-not-just-a-matter-of-nerves/
Image:
Glial cells are the commonest type of cells in the human brain and spinal cord. They surround neurons but are distinct from them and play an important supporting role – for example, in material transport and metabolism or the fluid balance in the brain and spinal cord.
#neuroscience #glialcells #humanbrain #research #synapticplasticity
Too cool!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how those who can walk on coals, or sleep on a bed of nails, suppress that pain? Perhaps the neural pathways are different and can be altered with great mental discipline. Or maybe just hide it very well
ReplyDeleteCorina Marinescu are you familiar with the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain? I've been reading up some on it for an article I'm writing for Skeptical Massage & Fitness on TMD. It's a complex model of environmental, hormonal, structural, functional, emotional, and social factors. It's stretching my mind and making me realize how little I know about pain and pain research. Paul Ingraham writes the Pain Science blog, really good stuff. www.painscience.com. I've also been reading some of the fact sheets compiled by the International Association for Study of Pain (IASP). www.iasp-pain.compainscience.com - The Science of Stubborn Aches, Pains & Injuries
ReplyDeleteI am familiar with interactions between physiological, psychological and sociocultural factors.
ReplyDeleteI'll take a look at your references...thanks Chip ;)
Corina Marinescu my pleasure. I learned so much about TMD, pain, pain models, diagnostic criteria, etc. while writing that article, I kind of feel like I know less now than I did before. At least, I know how much more I didn't even know that I didn't know. LOL
ReplyDeleteThere's always a good time to learn something more.
ReplyDelete