Activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Descending Pain Modulatory System

Figure 2

Schematic drawing of noxious stimuli-induced MAPKs activations in the descending pain modulatory system. Boxes indicate noxious stimulation, activated MAPK, and function that is related to MAPK activation. PFC, prefrontal cortex; ACC, anterior cingulate cortex; AMY, amygdala; HPT, hypothalamus; PAG, periaqueductal gray; LC, locus coeruleus; RVM, rostral ventromedial medulla; DLF, dorsolateral funiculus; SDH, spinal dorsal horn; PAF, primary afferent fiber; POMC, proopiomelanocortin. Upward and downward arrowheads indicate increase and decrease, respectively.