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Nature 438, 923-925 (15 December 2005) | doi:10.1038/438923a; Published online 14 December 2005

Neuroscience: A painful factor

Carole Torsney1 & Amy B. MacDermott1

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Peripheral nerve injury activates cells in the spinal cord called microglia. But how do such cells cause the ensuing chronic pain? It seems that they release a small protein that disrupts normal inhibition of pain signalling.

Neuropathic pain is a debilitating chronic pain condition with limited treatment options1. It is caused by damage to the nerves that transmit sensory information (touch, pain, temperature and so on).

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