Synaptic Structure and Function in the Mouse Somatosensory Cortex during Chronic Pain: In Vivo Two-Photon Imaging

Figure 4

Working hypothesis for the cortical mechanism of peripheral injury-induced chronic pain. We propose that peripheral injury (nerve ligation or inflammation) induces rapid structural and function remodeling of S1 cortical synapses as described in the text. This, alongside possible other contributions of inhibitory interneurons and glia, results in hyperexcitability of excitatory S1 cortical neurons. These may project and interact with other regions within the pain “neuromatrix”, such as the ACC, to result in chronic pain behaviors such as allodynia.