Altered nociceptive neuronal circuits after neonatal peripheral inflammation

Nociceptive neuronal circuits are formed during embryonic and postnatal tim es when painful stimuli are normally absent or Limited. Today, medical proc edures for neonates with health risks can involve tissue injury and pain fo r which the Long-term effects are unknown. To investigate the impact of neo natal tissue injury and pain on development of nociceptive neuronal circuit ry, we used an animal model of persistent hind paw peripheral inflammation, We found that, as adults, these animals exhibited spinal neuronal circuits with increased input and segmental changes in nociceptive primary afferent axons and altered responses to sensory stimulation.