reviewPhysiological ReviewsJan 23, 2019BRONZE OA

The Role of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels in Pain Signaling

Yale University · University of Oxford · +1 more institution

PubMed
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Abstract

Acute pain signaling has a key protective role and is highly evolutionarily conserved. Chronic pain, however, is maladaptive, occurring as a consequence of injury and disease, and is associated with sensitization of the somatosensory nervous system. Primary sensory neurons are involved in both of these processes, and the recent advances in understanding sensory transduction and human genetics are the focus of this review. Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are important determinants of sensory neuron excitability: they are essential for the initial transduction of sensory stimuli, the electrogenesis of the action potential, and neurotransmitter release from sensory neuron terminals. Na v 1.1, Na v 1.6, Na v…

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