Originally Posted by buckwheat

Hi Mike,

Remember this one?


Beyond Neurons: Evidence That Immune and Glial Cells Contribute to Pathological Pain States

http://physrev.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/82/4/981

Peripheral nerves are the origin of almost all forms of neuropathic pain. This section is divided into two major subsections. Section IIA provides an overview of peripheral nerve anatomy and immunology, by addressing issues of 1) anatomy and immune surveillance, as well as nerve damage caused by 2) antibodies, 3) complement, 4) T lymphocytes, and 5) trauma. The purpose is to provide the background for the clinically relevant discussion that follows. Section IIB focuses on painful neuropathies that involve nerve trauma and/or inflammation. Within this, three clinical neuropathic pain syndromes are examined: 1) complex regional pain syndromes associated with peripheral nerve trauma and/or inflammation, 2) autoimmune neuropathies, and 3) vasculitic neuropathies. For each, an examination of the clinical findings is first discussed followed by a summary of data from relevant animal models. The argument to be developed is that immune attack of peripheral nerves, or even simply immune activation near peripheral nerves, is sufficient to create increases in peripheral nerve hyperexcitability and/or damage so as to be considered a significant contributor to the neuropathic pain observed.