Update on the neurophysiology of pain
transmission and modulation: focus on the NMDA-receptor
by
Bennett GJ.
Department of Neurology,
MCP Hahnemann University, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19102-1192, USA.
J Pain Symptom Manage 2000 Jan; 19(1 Suppl):S2-6

ABSTRACT

Pain is detected by two different types of peripheral nociceptor neurons, C-fiber nociceptors with slowly conducting unmyelinated axons, and A-delta nociceptors with thinly myelinated axons. During inflammation, nociceptors become sensitized, discharge spontaneously, and produce ongoing pain. Prolonged firing of C-fiber nociceptors causes release of glutamate which acts on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the spinal cord. Activation of NMDA receptors causes the spinal cord neuron to become more responsive to all of its inputs, resulting in central sensitization. NMDA-receptor antagonists, such as dextromethorphan, can suppress central sensitization in experimental animals. NMDA-receptor activation not only increases the cell's response to pain stimuli, it also decreases neuronal sensitivity to opioid receptor agonists. In addition to preventing central sensitization, co-administration of NMDA-receptor antagonists with an opioid may prevent tolerance to opioid analgesia.

Pain
Zero tolerance?
NMDA antagonists
NMDA antagonists for drug users
Neuropathic pain and NMDA antagonists
NMDA antagonists against morphine tolerance
NMDA antagonists, opioid receptors and tolerance
NMDA receptors and opiate-induced neural plasticity

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