Abstract
The pathophysiology of neuropathic pain generation has not been fully investigated. Previous studies have primarily focused on changes in the properties of single neurons in the brain after nerve injury; however, little is known concerning the role of neuron-to-neuron connections in neuropathic pain pathogenesis. Synaptic transmission potentiation in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been confirmed to be responsible for the formation of neuropathic pain. Thus, analysis of interneuronal connections in the ACC is an important approach for understanding the mechanism of neuropathic pain since it provides information on the potency of synaptic transmission. Here, we recorded membrane potentials from pairs of ACC neurons in anaesthetised rats and found that cross-correlations between pairs of ACC neurons significantly increased after surgery for chronic constriction injury (CCI). Moreover, CCI surgery could also enhance the power spectrum density of lower and higher-frequency membrane oscillations while having no effect on middle-frequency oscillations. The activation of membrane potential synchrony and power spectrum was reversed by the electrical synapse blocker mefloquine and pain behaviour was simultaneously alleviated. Our results may indicate that activation of membrane potential synchrony contributes to generation of neuropathic pain.
Highlights
Neuropathic pain brings great suffering to patients and seriously affects the normal work and daily life of patients
In the present study, using a method of in vivo dual patch clamp whole-cell recording from anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) neurons in anesthetized adult rats, we investigated the changes in membrane potential synchrony between pairs of neurons within 1 to 2 weeks after chronic constriction injury (CCI) surgery
By recording membrane potentials (Vm) from pairs of ACC neurons in vivo, we have shown that the correlation of Vm fluctuations between nearby cells significantly increased after CCI surgery
Summary
Neuropathic pain brings great suffering to patients and seriously affects the normal work and daily life of patients. To gain a better understanding of pathophysiology of neuropathic pain, we set out to study changes in the interneuronal correlations using dual patch clamp recording in a neuropathic pain model. Analysis of the membrane potential synchrony in neurons may provide insight into the mechanisms by which electrical synapses generate neuropathic pain. Previous studies have demonstrated that synaptic transmission enhancement in the ACC neurons contributes to the maintenance of neuropathic pain[16]. In the present study, using a method of in vivo dual patch clamp whole-cell recording from ACC neurons in anesthetized adult rats, we investigated the changes in membrane potential synchrony between pairs of neurons within 1 to 2 weeks after chronic constriction injury (CCI) surgery
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.