Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2026, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (7): 2962-2963.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00837

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Translational value of understanding brain–spinal interactions in persistent pain

Juhee Shin#, Hyun Jun Jang#, Boyoung Lee*   

  1. Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
  • Online:2026-07-15 Published:2026-03-27
  • Contact: Boyoung Lee, PhD, blee@ibs.re.kr.
  • Supported by:
    This work was financially supported by the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Center for Cognition and Sociality (IBS-R001-D2 to BL).

Abstract: Neuropathic pain is a complex and debilitating condition caused by lesions or dysfunction within the somatosensory nervous system. Affecting an estimated 7%–10% of the global population, it presents with spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, and allodynia, often accompanied by long-term emotional and cognitive consequences, such as depression and anxiety, which result in a reduced quality of life. Despite extensive research efforts, effective treatments remain limited. This limited efficacy likely stems, in part, from the heterogeneous nature of neuropathic pain, which varies widely across individuals in both clinical presentation and treatment responsiveness. To date, most preclinical studies have focused on localized changes in gene and protein expression, particularly within the spinal dorsal horn, offering only a partial view of the molecular processes sustaining pain.