Endogenous facilitation: from molecular mechanisms to persistent pain

Abstract

It is well documented that sensory transmission, including pain, is subject to endogenous inhibitory modulatory influences at dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Recent results, from behavioral to molecular studies, demonstrate that endogenous modulatory systems are bi-phasic, including inhibitory as well as new facilitatory systems. In this review, we propose the existence of endogenous facilitatory systems in the brain, and review evidence supporting the hypothesis. We believe that understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms of endogenous facilitatory systems hold the hope for better future treatment of patients with chronic pain.