| Peripheral sensitization |
Peripheral sensitization represents a reduction in the threshold and/or an increase in the magnitude of responsiveness at the peripheral endings of sensory nerve fibers and at their cell bodies in DRGs. This occurs in response to the inflammatory mediators released at the site of tissue injury. |
| Ectopic neuronal activity |
Spontaneous or abnormal propagation of ion flows through transmembrane channels that stimulate transmembrane electrical currents in axons after tissue and nerve injury. |
| Gene regulation |
Dramatic transcriptional changes occur in DRG neurons contributing to the onset and maintenance of chronic pain after tissue and nerve injury. |
| Presynaptic modulation |
Increased neurotransmitter release from nociceptors after nerve injury contributes to synaptic plasticity via presynaptic regulation. |
| Switch of sensory modality (phenotypic switch) |
Sensory neurons acquire new modalities after injury. For example, mechanoreceptors start to transmit nociceptive information (i.e. mechanical allodynia) after nerve injury. |
