This book successfully explores cellular and molecular mechanisms of chronic pain based on recent basic neurobiological investigations. By focusing on major breakthroughs in basic neurosciences, it is believed to contain the promise for future new pain drug discovery.
Instead of repeating extensive reviews of basic animal and clinical observations, the book provides a novel neuronal model that is believed to be the key target for treating chronic pain. In addition, it reviews and validates animal models developed for studying basic mechanisms of pain and chronic pain, and the current medicine used to treat chronic pain as well as alternative pain treatment. The final few chapters also cover how pain may interfere with other high brain functions, such as fear, anxiety, sleep, memory, etc.
Contents:
- Basic Neurosciences and Pain
- Peripheral Nociceptors and Sensitization
- Spinal Dorsal Horn Synaptic Transmission and Gate Control
- Silent Synapses
- Cortical LTP
- Cortical Depression
- Cortical Sensitization and Reorganization
- NMDA NR2B
- Pain and Fear
- Pain and Anxiety
- Descending Pain Facilitation
- Current Drug and Novel Drug Target for Treating Chronic Pain
Readership: Neuroscientists, medical students, pain researchers, nurses, doctors, and drug developers.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-read diagrams and original figures
- Novel concepts for the treatment of chronic pain
- Integrative experimental approaches for the study of pain
