The role of extracellular matrix in cortical neuronal circuit remodeling in chronic pain

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K21603
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Pain science; Basic / Social brain science
• Research Institution: National Institute for Physiological Sciences
• Principal Investigator: Eto Kei 生理学研究所, 基盤神経科学研究領域, 助教 (30545257)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 慢性疼痛 / 一次体性感覚野 / アストロサイト

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the chronic pain, which is induced by peripheral nerve injury, the cortical neuronal circuit reorganizes in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), which in turn cause chronic pain-like behavior. The aim of this study is to clarify whether extracellular matrix and astrocytes contribute to neuronal circuit remodeling observed in the S1 in chronic pain. In the present study, we elucidated that astrocytes are involved in enhancement of neuronal plasticity in the S1 after nerve injury. Moreover, enhanced neuronal inputs can induce cortical neuronal circuit remodeling with astrocytic activation, leading to chronic pain-like behavior.

Free Research Field

神経科学