Chronic Pain and Cognitive Dysfunction: Clinical Implement, Mechanism, and Therapeutic Strategy - PubMed
6 hours ago
- #cognitive dysfunction
- #chronic pain
- #neuroinflammation
- Chronic pain (CP) is linked to cognitive dysfunction through neurobiological processes.
- Key mechanisms include neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and impaired synaptic plasticity.
- Affected brain regions: hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), crucial for memory and executive function.
- Neuroimaging shows structural atrophy and disrupted connectivity in CP patients.
- Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) impair glutamatergic/GABAergic signaling and neurogenesis.
- BDNF dysregulation worsens synaptic vulnerability, contributing to cognitive decline.
- CP may act as a risk factor in aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Therapeutic strategies target inflammation, neurotransmitter systems, and synaptic repair.