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Review
. 2015 Jan;12(1):1-8.
doi: 10.4306/pi.2015.12.1.1. Epub 2015 Jan 12.

Pain and depression: a neurobiological perspective of their relationship

Changsu Han  1 , Chi-Un Pae  2
Affiliations
Review

Pain and depression: a neurobiological perspective of their relationship

Changsu Han et al. Psychiatry Investig. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

Remarkable progresses have been achieved regarding the understanding of the neurobiological bases of pain and depression. The principal role of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and neurohormones has been proposed in the development of pain and depression. With the progression of molecular biology, an intricate interaction among biological factors accountable to the development and management of pain and depression has been also shown in a numerous preclinical and clinical researches. This mini-review will briefly describe the current issues and future research direction for better understanding of the relationship between pain and depression.

Keywords: Depression; Pain; Pathophysiology; Relationship; Symptomatology; Treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The physiological pathway of pain. FC: frontal cortex, PSC: primary sensory cortex, HT: hypothalamus,CC: cingulated cortex, AMD: amygdala, MTN: medial thalamic nuclei, LTN: lateral thalamic nuclei, FNE: free nerve ending. The whole process of perception of pain is following: Transduction → Transmission (central sensitization) → Modulation → Perception.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The association of pain and depression in pathophysiology and symptomatology.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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