Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from 141 human dorsal root ganglion (hDRG) neurons from five young adult donors without chronic pain were performed. The data collected indicates that most small/medium hDRG neurons can be classified as nociceptors, respond directly to compounds that produce pain and itch, and that they can be activated and sensitized by inflammatory mediators. This provides evidence that hDRG neurons can be used as a preclinical vehicle for translational target validation for chronic pain treatment.

PUBLICATION: International Association of the Study of Pain (2014)

AUTHORS: Steve Davidson, Bryan A. Copits, Jingming Zhang, Guy Page, Andrea Ghetti, Robert W. Gereau IV