Lamina specific loss of inhibition may lead to distinct neuropathic manifestations: A computational modeling approach

Erick Javier Argüello Prada, Ricardo José Silva Bustillos, Mónica Karel Huerta, Antonio D’Alessandro Martínez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

It has been reported that inhibitory control at the superficial dorsal horn (SDH) can act in a regionally distinct manner, which suggests that regionally specific subpopulations of SDH inhibitory neurons may prevent one specific neuropathic condition. Methods: In an attempt to address this issue, we provide an alternative approach by integrating neuroanatomical information provided by different studies to construct a network-model of the SDH. We use Neuroids to simulate each neuron included in that model by adapting available experimental evidence. Results: Simulations suggest that the maintenance of the proper level of pain sensitivity may be attributed to lamina II inhibitory neurons and, therefore, hyperalgesia may be elicited by suppression of the inhibitory tone at that lamina. In contrast, lamina III inhibitory neurons are more likely to be responsible for keeping the nociceptive pathway from the mechanoreceptive pathway, so loss of inhibitory control in that region may result in allodynia. The SDH network-model is also able to replicate non-linearities associated to pain processing, such as Aβ-fiber mediated analgesia and frequency-dependent increase of the neural response. Discussion: By incorporating biophysical accuracy and newer experimental evidence, the SDH network-model may become a valuable tool for assessing the contribution of specific SDH connectivity patterns to noxious transmission in both physiological and pathological conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)133-147
Number of pages15
JournalRevista Brasileira de Engenharia Biomedica
Volume31
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Jul 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015, Sociedade Brasileira de Engenharia Biomedica. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Computational pain modeling
  • Inhibitory control
  • Network model
  • Superficial dorsal horn circuit

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Lamina specific loss of inhibition may lead to distinct neuropathic manifestations: A computational modeling approach'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this