Spinal cord projection neurons: A superficial, and also deep, analysis.

Wercberger R, Basbaum AI (2019) Spinal cord projection neurons: A superficial, and also deep, analysis. Curr Opin Physiol 11:109-115. doi: 10.1016/j.cophys.2019.10.002

Summary: Modern approaches to map complex neural circuits require knowledge of the molecular language that defines cell type specificity. However, with few exceptions, NK1R remains the marker consistently used to define projection neurons and even to interrogate their contribution to pain and itch (Mantyh et al.) The first of two studies demonstrating that SP-SAP-mediated ablation of dorsal horn NK1R-expressing neurons reduces injury-induced hyperalgesia. (Carstens et al.) In this paper SP-SAP-mediated ablation of dorsal horn NK1R-expressing neurons reduced pruritogen-evoked scratching.

Related Products: SSP-SAP (Cat. #IT-11)

See Also:

• Mantyh PW et al. Inhibition of hyperalgesia by ablation of lamina I spinal neurons expressing the substance P receptor. Science 278:275-279, 1997.
• Carstens EE et al. Dorsal horn neurons expressing NK-1 receptors mediate scratching in rats. Neuroreport 21:303-308, 2010.