A recent study from our Division of Intramural Research provides new insights into the mechanisms by which the brain influences the perception of pain. This study, which was done in mice, showed that a part of the brain called the central amygdala—which is associated with emotional processes—can act as a “switch” to upgrade or downgrade pain signals.
The “switch” involves two different types of nerve cells. When one type of cell in the amygdala is activated, pain signals increase. When the other type is activated, they decrease.
This discovery provides new clues for researchers to pursue in learning how it may be possible to manage pain by modulating what’s happening in the brain.
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