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Gan Z, Gangadharan V, Liu S, Körber C, Tan LL, Li H, Oswald MJ, Kang J, Martin-Cortecero J, Männich D, Groh A, Kuner T, Wieland S, Kuner R. Layer-specific pain relief pathways originating from primary motor cortex. Science 2022; 378:1336-1343. [PMID: 36548429 DOI: 10.1126/science.add4391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The primary motor cortex (M1) is involved in the control of voluntary movements and is extensively mapped in this capacity. Although the M1 is implicated in modulation of pain, the underlying circuitry and causal underpinnings remain elusive. We unexpectedly unraveled a connection from the M1 to the nucleus accumbens reward circuitry through a M1 layer 6-mediodorsal thalamus pathway, which specifically suppresses negative emotional valence and associated coping behaviors in neuropathic pain. By contrast, layer 5 M1 neurons connect with specific cell populations in zona incerta and periaqueductal gray to suppress sensory hypersensitivity without altering pain affect. Thus, the M1 employs distinct, layer-specific pathways to attune sensory and aversive-emotional components of neuropathic pain, which can be exploited for purposes of pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Gan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vijayan Gangadharan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sheng Liu
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Körber
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Linette Liqi Tan
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Han Li
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manfred Josef Oswald
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juhyun Kang
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jesus Martin-Cortecero
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Deepitha Männich
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Groh
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kuner
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wieland
- Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty Heidelberg and University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rohini Kuner
- Pharmacology Institute, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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