Role of neuroinflammation in neuropathic pain: a narrative review

Role of neuroinflammation in neuropathic pain: a narrative review

Neuropathic pain, which can develop throughout the somatic sensory nervous system, occurs because of lesions or diseases in the somatosensory system, from the nerve terminal to the peripheral nerve of the nerve root, spinal cord, and brain. Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. Various pathological conditions of the nervous system can cause excessive neuroinflammation. Activation of inflammatory cells and subsequent inflammatory mediators results in neuropathic pain. Therefore, the modulation of neuroinflammation may be an option for treating and preventing neuropathic pain. Autophagic phagocytosis is related to the regulation of proinflammatory cytokine activity and the management of neuropathic pain. However, the complex interactions between cellular responses and inflammatory mediators in neuroinflammatory processes remain unclear. This short review discusses the roles of inflammation in the development and modulation of neuropathic pain.