Full Description
This is the first comprehensive review of all aspects of nociceptor function, including the structure of nociceptor endings, their neurochemistry, and evolutionary considerations. It deals with the functional properties of nociceptors innervating different organs and the biophysical mechanisms underlaying the transduction process in nociceptors. There are sections on how nociceptor function is modified by nerve injury and regeneration and on its physiopathology.
This is an essential reference for researchers in neuroscience and pharmacology, and clinicians working in pain management.
Contents
Preface ; Principles of classification and nomenclature relevant to studies of nociceptive neurones ; PART 1: BASIC ASPECTS OF NOCICEPTOR FUNCTION ; 1. Pain and the discovery of nociceptors ; 2. Structure of nociceptor 'endings' ; 3. Neurochemistry of cutaneous nociceptors ; 4. Comparative and evolutionary aspects of nociceptor function ; PART 2: NOCICEPTORS AND THE SIGNALLING OF INJURY ; 5. Cutaneous nociceptors ; 6. Corneal nociceptors ; 7. Nociceptors in skeletal muscle and their reaction to pathological tissue changes ; 8. Neurobiology of articular nociceptors ; 9. Visceral nociceptors ; PART 3: TRANSDUCTION MECHANISMS AND SENSITIZATION ; 10. Signal transduction in nociceptors: general principles ; 11. Chemical excitation and sensitization in nociceptors ; 12. Intracellular messengers and signal transduction in nociceptors ; 13. Sensitization of polymodal receptors ; PART 4: FUNCTIONS OF NOCICEPTORS ; 14. Functional properties of human cutaneous nociceptors and their role in pain and hyperalgesia ; 15. Neural mechanisms of primary hyperalgesia ; 16. Secondary cutaneous dysaesthesiae ; 17. Efferent function of nociceptors ; 18. Nociceptors and neuroimmune interactions ; PART 5: NOCICEPTOR PLASTICITY ; 19. Development of the nociceptor phenotype: role of nerve growth factor ; 20. Properties of regenerated nociceptor afferents ; 21. Pathophysiology of human nociceptor function
