On September 25, a research team led by Professor Xu Guangyin from the Institute of Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University published a paper in the journal Neuron titled 'Distinct circuits and molecular targets of the paraventricular hypothalamus decode visceral and somatic pain'.

The paper proposes that the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) acts as a "pain sorting center," serving as a crucial hub for the brain's specific recognition and transmission of visceral and somatic pain. The study reveals that the PVH responds to visceral and somatic pain with distinct neuronal clusters. The transcriptomic characteristics and downstream projection patterns of PVH neurons activated by visceral and somatic pain exhibit significant differences. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that visceral and somatic pain are differentially transmitted through the PVHP2X3R+-LSV and PVHVIPR2+-ZIC neural circuits, respectively.

This research not only broadens our understanding of how the brain specifically recognizes pain originating from different locations but also elucidates the neural and molecular mechanisms governing the differential transmission and regulation of visceral and somatic pain. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for the clinical development of targeted therapies and interventions for visceral and somatic pain.

Schematic Diagram Illustrating the Neural And Molecular Mechanisms of the Paraventricular Hypothalamus in Differentially Mediating Visceral and Somatic Pain

Paper Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2024.08.024