No Pain, Much to Gain

Glial cells, including astrocytes and satellite glial cells, which provide physical and chemical support to neurons, also have a role in pain, Dr. Ji said. This has led him to ask if chronic pain might be described as a gliopathy, or a dysfunction of glial cells.²

Larry Beresford is a medical journalist in Oakland, Calif.

References

Obeidat AM, Wood MJ, Adamczyk NA, et al. Piezo2 expressing nociceptors mediate mechanical sensitization in experimental osteoarthritis. Nat Commun. Apr 29;14(1):2479.
Ji RR, Tenugin B, Nederyaard M. Glia and pain: Is chronic pain a gliopathy? Pain. 2013 Dec;154 Suppl 1(0 1):S10–S28.

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References

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References

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