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Cytochemical Studies of the Neural Circuitry Underlying Pain and Pain Control

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Pain

Part of the book series: Acta Neurochirurgica Supplementum ((NEUROCHIRURGICA,volume 38))

Abstract

With the introduction of immunocytochemistry in anatomical studies of the nervous system, significant progress has been made in our understanding of CNS circuitry. By simultaneously performing retrograde tracing studies with immunocytochemistry, it is now possible to identify the cytochemistry of projection systems. When this is combined with a functional analysis of a given pathway, e.g., the spinothalamic tract, it is possible, for the first time, to characterize the likely transmitter content of specific neuronal systems. The importance of such information cannot be overemphasized. For example, if one knows the neurotransmitter that is involved in the central transmission of nociceptive messages, it should be possible to develop receptor antagonists that block the action of that neurotransmitter. That approach could lead to the development of very specific analgesic drugs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of California, School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA

    Allan I. Basbaum Ph.D.

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  1. Allan I. Basbaum Ph.D.
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Clinique Neurochirurgicale, Bruxelles, Belgium

    Jean Brihaye

  2. Neurochirurgische Universitätsklinik, Homburg/Saar, Federal Republic of Germany

    Fritz Loew

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© 1987 Springer-Verlag

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Basbaum, A.I. (1987). Cytochemical Studies of the Neural Circuitry Underlying Pain and Pain Control. In: Brihaye, J., Loew, F., Pia, H.W. (eds) Pain. Acta Neurochirurgica Supplementum, vol 38. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6975-9_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6975-9_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-7457-9

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