An orbitofrontal cortex to midbrain projection modulates neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is a long term and common pain disorder in clinics that is refractory to treatment,however,the neural substrates and underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.Using the com bination of neuronal mapping,optogenetics,chemogenetics,eletrophysiological recording,in vivo fiber photometry and behavioral testing,we previously identified a new neural circuit of BLA-mPFC-vIPAG and its key role in encoding and modulation of the spared nerve injury(SNI)-induced neuropathic pain..Here we report that the V M-vlOFC-vIPAG circuit modulates neuropathic pain and dissects the underlying mechanisms at cellular and circuitry level.