Descending controls: How to harness for the relief of pain?

摘要

Descending control of spinal nociception, which originates in many brain regions, is a major determinant of the pain experience. Descending control is dynamic and can either depress or enhance spinal nociceptive signalling depending on where it originates or what triggers it (Heinricher et al. 2009). A major challenge for therapeutic utility, whether that be engaged by physical or chemical means, is to harness the beneficial aspects of descending control.