Spinal gap junction channels in neuropathic pain

Young Hoon Jeon, Dong Ho Youn

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Damage to peripheral nerves or the spinal cord is often accompanied by neuropathic pain, which is a complex, chronic pain state. Increasing evidence indicates that alterations in the expression and activity of gap junction channels in the spinal cord are involved in the development of neuropathic pain. Thus, this review briefly summarizes evidence that regulation of the expression, coupling, and activity of spinal gap junction channels modulates pain signals in neuropathic pain states induced by peripheral nerve or spinal cord injury. We particularly focus on connexin 43 and pannexin 1 because their regulation vastly attenuates symptoms of neuropathic pain. We hope that the study of gap junction channels eventually leads to the development of a suitable treatment tool for patients with neuropathic pain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)231-235
Number of pages5
JournalKorean Journal of Pain
Volume28
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Connexin
  • Gap junction channel
  • Glial cell
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Pannexin 1
  • Spinal cord

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Spinal gap junction channels in neuropathic pain'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this