Hypothalamic clock governs circadian pain.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41855333.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/science.ady6455.
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Abstract
Chronic pain exhibits circadian rhythms in humans, but the mechanisms underlying such rhythmicity remain unclear. Here, we found daily oscillations in the nociceptive thresholds in a mouse model of neuropathic pain, driven by a rhythmic circuit from the master clock in the hypothalamus to the descending analgesia system. In the daytime (resting phase), higher vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) neuronal activity in suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN<sup>VIP</sup>) activates a signaling pathway involving the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), ultimately increasing nociceptive sensitivity. At night (active phase), reduced SCN<sup>VIP</sup> neuronal activity decreases pain sensitivity through this polysynaptic circuit. This study identified a circuit for regulating pain rhythmicity that might be targeted to improve chronic pain management.
Medical subject headings
- Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
- Circadian Rhythm
- Neuralgia
- Circadian Clocks
- Chronic Pain
- Hypothalamus