The molecular dynamics of pain control

Pain is necessary for survival, but persistent pain can result in anxiety, depression and a reduction in the quality of life. The discriminative and a ffective qualities of pain are both thought to be regulated in an activity- dependent fashion. Recent studies have identified cells and molecules that regulate pain sensitivity and the parallel pathways that distribute nocicep tive information to limbic or sensory areas of the forebrain. Here, we emph asize the cellular and neurobiological consequences of pain, especially tho se that are involved in the generation and maintenance of chronic pain. The se new insights into pain processing will significantly alter our approach to pain control and the development of new analgesics.