Neuropathic Pain: Biomolecular Intervention and Imaging via Targeting Microglia Activation

Many diseases, including cancer, can lead to neuropathic pain (NP). NP is one of the accompanying symptoms of suffering in many conditions and the life quality of NP patient is seriously affected. Due to complex causes, the effects of clinical treatments have been very unsatisfactory. Many experts have found that neuron-microglia interaction plays an essential role in NP occurrence and development. Therefore, the activation of microglia, related inflammatory mediators and molecular and cellular signaling pathways have become the focus of NP research. With the help of modern functional imaging technology, advanced pre-and clinical studies have been carried out and NP interventions have been attempted by using the different pharmaceuticals and the extracted active components of various traditional herbal medicines. In this communication, we review the mechanism of microglia on NP formation and treatment and molecular imaging technology's role in the clinical diagnosis and evaluation of NP therapies.

Automated summary

NP is a common accompanying symptom of many diseases, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients. Neuron-microglia interaction has been found by experts to play a vital role in the occurrence and development of NP. Advanced studies and interventions using pharmaceuticals and traditional herbal medicines extracts have been attempted to address NP due to its unsatisfactory clinical treatments.