Abstract

Pain is necessary for survival, but persistent pain can result in anxiety, depression and a reduction in the quality of life. The discriminative and affective qualities of pain are both thought to be regulated in an activity-dependent fashion. Recent studies have identified cells and molecules that regulate pain sensitivity and the parallel pathways that distribute nociceptive information to limbic or sensory areas of the forebrain. Here, we emphasize the cellular and neurobiological consequences of pain, especially those that are involved in the generation and maintenance of chronic pain. These new insights into pain processing will significantly alter our approach to pain control and the development of new analgesics.

Author affiliations

1. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Medawar Building, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
   Email: hunt@ucl.ac.uk
2. Department of Preventive Sciences, Neuroscience and Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, 18–154 Moos Tower, 515 Delaware Street, Minneapolis, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
   Email: manty001@maroon.tc.umn.edu