Neuronal physiology of amygdala neurons in the context of injury and pain

Abstract

The amygdala integrates polymodal information including nociceptive stimuli. It is implicated as a key node in regulating both sensory-discriminative and emotional-affective aspects of pain and central sensitization. While central sensitization mechanisms in persistent pain are not completely understood, studying the neuronal properties exhibited by the amygdala neurons within their functional context, in this case, nociception, is important. Such studies can shed light on the behavior-modulating potential of the amygdala. In the last twenty years, multiple laboratories have begun the process of dissecting the cell-type specific activity involved in amygdala function. This review surveys these electrophysiological properties of neurons from different amygdala nuclei, cell types and circuitry studied so far, in the context of nociception and injury. A population-level accounting of these cell types provides greater insight into identifying specific targets to develop interventions for pain-mediated affective conditions.