Abstract
The endogenous neuropeptides dynorphins are proteolytic products of prodynorphin which are characterized by their high affinity for opioid receptors. Dynorphin A is widely distributed in the CNS and in the spinal cord is found predominantly in neurons of laminae I/II and V. Intrathecal dynorphin A displays predominantly non-opioid activities which can be reversed by NMDA antagonists as well as by bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists. The levels of spinal dynorphin expression can be easily perturbed; elevated levels of dynorphin A in the spinal cord are essential for the expression of chronic pain. Descending modulatory pain pathways from the rostral ventromedial medulla contribute to dynorphin up-regulation and the maintenance of neuropathic pain. Recovery from neuropathic pain may depend not only on recovery from the peripheral injury but also on reversing the injury-induced adaptive changes to the central nervous system such as dynorphin up-regulation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Synaptic Plasticity in Pain |
Publisher | Springer New York |
Pages | 353-366 |
Number of pages | 14 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781441902269 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781441902252 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2009 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
- Neuroscience(all)