脊髓背角浅层兴奋性中间神经元在病理性疼痛中的作用与研究进展

Excitatory interneurons in the superficial spinal dorsal horn: recent advances in pathological pain

摘要:

脊髓背角浅层(I-II层)接受来自于皮肤的初级传入纤维呈递的触觉、温度觉、痛觉、痒觉等体感输入,其中绝大部分神经元为中间神经元,在痛觉的调控中处于核心的地位。中间神经元分为兴奋性和抑制性两大类。不同化学性质的兴奋性中间神经元在疼痛整合与调制中的作用具有较大的异质性。本文就脊髓背角各种类型兴奋性中间神经元在病理性疼痛中作用的研究进展做一综述。

Abstract:

The superficial dorsal horn (laminae I–II) of the spinal cord receives somatosensory inputs from primary afferent fibers originating in the skin, conveying tactile, thermal, nociceptive, and pruritic information. The majority of the neurons in this region are interneurons, which occupy a central position in the modulation and integration of pain. These interneurons can be broadly classified as excitatory or inhibitory, each contributing differently to sensory processing. Excitatory interneurons, in particular, exhibit substantial heterogeneity in their neurochemical phenotypes and functional roles. Recent studies have revealed that distinct subpopulations of excitatory interneurons in the dorsal horn play diverse and specialized roles in the development and maintenance of pathological pain. This review summarizes the current progress in understanding the cellular and circuit mechanisms by which various types of excitatory interneurons in the spinal dorsal horn contribute to pathological pain modulation.