Figure 7.

Activation of prefrontal projections to the NAc core has antinociceptive effects in the chronic neuropathic pain state. A, Schematic showing the experimental paradigm. Four weeks after viral injections in the PL-PFC, light treatment was performed in the NAc core to activate prefrontal neurons that project to the NAc during behavior tests. B, Photoactivation of PL-PFC axons in the NAc core reduced mechanical allodynia in SNI-treated rats expressing ChR2-eYFP. Two-way ANOVA, n = 4–7, p < 0.001. C, Activation of PL-PFC axons in the NAc core reduced cold allodynia in SNI-treated rats expressing ChR2-eYFP. Two-way ANOVA, n = 4–8, p < 0.01. D, Schematic showing the locations of optic fibers in the NAc core. Error bars show mean and SEM.