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Papers of the Week


Papers: 21 Sep 2019 - 27 Sep 2019

PAIN TYPE:
Itch


2019 Nov


Nat Rev Neurosci


20


11

Editor's Pick

Astrocytes in chronic pain and itch.

Authors

Ji R-R, Donnelly CR, Nedergaard M
Nat Rev Neurosci. 2019 Nov; 20(11):667-685.
PMID: 31537912.

Abstract

Astrocytes are critical for maintaining the homeostasis of the CNS. Increasing evidence suggests that a number of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including chronic pain, may result from astrocyte 'gliopathy'. Indeed, in recent years there has been substantial progress in our understanding of how astrocytes can regulate nociceptive synaptic transmission via neuronal-glial and glial-glial cell interactions, as well as the involvement of spinal and supraspinal astrocytes in the modulation of pain signalling and the maintenance of neuropathic pain. A role of astrocytes in the pathogenesis of chronic itch is also emerging. These developments suggest that targeting the specific pathways that are responsible for astrogliopathy may represent a novel approach to develop therapies for chronic pain and chronic itch.