About this Research Topic
Neuropathic pain is caused by lesions or diseases of the somatosensory system and is a major public health issue in the world. It is characterized by increased responses to nociceptive stimuli (hyperalgesia), unpleasant and abnormal sensation (dysesthesia), and pain in responses to light tactile stimuli (allodynia). Studies show that neuropathic pain involves a series of pathophysiologic events when the nerve is damaged, including neuronal hyperexcitability, changes in perineuronal homeostasis, and neurogenic inflammation. Although the treatment for neuropathic pain remains a great challenge, progress has been made in identifying key molecules and their roles in pain modulation and processing. For example, the discovery of the mechanism of N-type calcium channels in neurotransmitter release in dorsal root ganglion, has led to huge progress in neuropathic pain treatment using calcium channel blockers, e.g. Gabapentin and Pregabalin.
The main purpose of this Research Topic is to collect original research articles, reviews and perspectives to further our understanding of novel neuropathic pain-associated molecules and their signaling pathways, which can be used as therapeutic targets for pain treatment. The sub-themes of this Research Topic include but are not limited to the following:
1. Novel molecules and their roles in neuropathic pain modulation and processing;
2. Recruitment of “omics” technologies, such as RNA sequencing, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, and proteomics, in identifying key molecules and analyzing their underlying molecular mechanism;
3. Studies on transcriptional factors, membrane proteins, and ion channels, which are implicated in the pathological changes in somatosensory system;
4. Identification of potential therapeutic targets and pathological mechanisms of neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain includes cancer pain, diabetic neuropathic pain, chemotherapy-induced pain, chronic postoperative pain, and postherpetic neuralgia, etc. Both animal models and human studies are welcome.
The main purpose of this Research Topic is to collect original research articles, reviews and perspectives to further our understanding of novel neuropathic pain-associated molecules and their signaling pathways, which can be used as therapeutic targets for pain treatment. The sub-themes of this Research Topic include but are not limited to the following:
1. Novel molecules and their roles in neuropathic pain modulation and processing;
2. Recruitment of “omics” technologies, such as RNA sequencing, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, and proteomics, in identifying key molecules and analyzing their underlying molecular mechanism;
3. Studies on transcriptional factors, membrane proteins, and ion channels, which are implicated in the pathological changes in somatosensory system;
4. Identification of potential therapeutic targets and pathological mechanisms of neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain includes cancer pain, diabetic neuropathic pain, chemotherapy-induced pain, chronic postoperative pain, and postherpetic neuralgia, etc. Both animal models and human studies are welcome.
Keywords: Neuropathic Pain, Hyperalgesia, Allodynia, Dysesthesia, Doral Root Ganglia, Spinal Cord
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
