Current Understanding of the Neural Circuitry in the Comorbidity of Chronic Pain and Anxiety. (15th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Teng; Wang, Jing; Wang, Yan-Qing; Chu, Yu-Xia
• Other Names: Zheng Mou-Xiong Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Neural plasticity. Volume 2022(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-15
• Subjects: Neuroplasticity -- Periodicals; 612.82
• DOI: 10.1155/2022/4217593
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-5904

Abstract

Abstract : Chronic pain patients often develop mental disorders, and anxiety disorders are common. We hypothesize that the comorbid anxiety results from an imbalance between the reward and antireward system due to persistent pain, which leads to the dysfunction of the pain and anxiety regulatory system. In this review, we will focus on changes in neuroplasticity, especially in neural circuits, during chronic pain and anxiety as observed in animal studies. Several neural circuits within specific regions of the brain, including the nucleus accumbens, lateral habenular, parabrachial nucleus, medial septum, anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, will be discussed based on novel findings after chemogenetic or optogenetic manipulation. We believe that these animal studies provide novel insights into human conditions and can guide clinical practice.