Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the infralimbic cortex alleviates inflammatory pain.
Lupeng Yue, Long-Yu Ma, Shuang Cui, Feng-Yu Liu, Ming Yi, You Wan
Author Information
Lupeng Yue: Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China.
Long-Yu Ma: Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China.
Shuang Cui: Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China.
Feng-Yu Liu: Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China.
Ming Yi: Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China.
You Wan: Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China; Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China. Electronic address: ywan@hsc.pku.edu.cn.
In chronic pain, it has been reported that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) takes important regulatory roles, and may change functionally and morphologically in result of chronic pain. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is well known as a critical modulator of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of BDNF in the infralimbic cortex and the prelimbic cortex of the mPFC in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain. We found that the BDNF level decreased in the infralimbic cortex, but not in the prelimbic cortex, 3days after the CFA induction of the inflammatory pain. BDNF infusion into bilateral infralimbic cortices to activate neuronal activities could alleviate inflammatory pain and accelerate long-term recovery from pain. In conclusion, BDNF in the infralimbic cortex of the mPFC could accelerate recovery from inflammatory pain.
