Synonyms
Spinal Cord Astrocyte; Microglia Activation
Definition
Cord glial activation refers to the activation of dorsal spinal cord microglia and astrocytes, which induces exaggerated pain via the release of substances that excite nocisponsive neurons (reviewed in Watkins et al. 2001). Activation is evidenced by upregulation of immunohistochemically-detectable cell-type specific activation markers, and increased release of neuroactive glial products including proinflammatory cytokines, excitatory amino acids (EAA), nitric oxide (NO), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and prostaglandins. These released substances then act on neurons, thereby amplifying the pain response. Some evidence points to the activation of microglia leading to the activation of astrocytes (Raghavendra et al. 2003).
Characteristics
Glia are non-neuronal cells traditionally thought of as “supportive cells” for neurons(Araque et al. 1999). Many of their functions involve the release of growth factors, protecting neurons...
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Wieseler-Frank, J., Milligan, E., Maier, S., Watkins, L. (2007). Cord Glial Activation. In: Schmidt, R., Willis, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Pain. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29805-2_879
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29805-2_879
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