Primary sensory neurons respond to peripheral stimulation and project to the spinal cord. Specifically, the population of neurons which respond to damaging stimuli terminate in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn. Therefore, the dorsal horns constitute the first relay site for nociceptive fibre terminals which make synaptic contacts with second order neurons. It has recently become clear that the strength of this first pain synapse is plastic and modifiable by several modulators, including neuronal and non-neuronal regulators, and studies on the fundamental processes regulating the plasticity of the first pain synapse have resulted in the identification of new targets for the treatment of chronic pain. This book will be of interest to a wide readership in the pain field.

Focuses on emerging areas of synaptic plasticity and pain

Section I Anatomical plasticity of dorsal horn circuits: Changes in NK1 and glutamate receptors in pain.- Trophic factors and their receptors in pain.- Section II Fast synaptic transmission in the dorsal horn: Glutamate and NMDA receptor in pain.- Glutamate GABA ATP in pain.- Synaptic transmission of pain in the developing spinal cord.- Section III Slow synaptic transmission: role of peptides and neurotrophins: BDNF and TrkB mediated mechanisms in the spinal cord.- SP/NK1 and opioid receptors in spinal cord pain mechanisms.- CGRP in spinal cord pain mechanisms.- Section IV Monitoring central sensitization: Wind up and LTP: LTP in the spinal cord.- Wind up in the spinal cord.- Section V Chronic pain states: Pain from the arthritic joint.- Mechanisms for visceral pain.- Pain associated with spinal cord injury.- Section VI Mechanisms and targets for chronic pain: Cannabinoid mechanisms.- Immune system and pain.- Microglia, Cytokines and pain.- Roles of Astrocytes in the modulation of pain.- Spinal cord phospholipase and prostanoids in chronic pain.- Descending modulation of pain.- Cell signalling in neuronal and non-neuronal cells.- Cathepsin S and fractalkine for the inhibition of neuropathic pain.- New targets for chronic pain.- GABAA receptor in neuropathic states.- BDNF in neuropathic pain.- Dynorphin in neuropathic pain.- Index.