Computational modeling of Abeta fiber wind-up

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006:2006:4975-8. doi: 10.1109/IEMBS.2006.259604.

Abstract

Wind-up, a condition related to chronic pain, is described traditionally as a frequency dependent increase in the excitability of sensory spinal cord neurons, evoked by electrical stimulation of small pain fibers. In this paper, we introduce a computational model on wind-up of large (Abeta) fibers, considering three major mechanisms of wind-up: 1) a feedforward mechanism causing Ca2+ entry, 2) a positive feedback, causing more Ca2+ entry, and 3) a feedforward due to sprouting of Abeta fibers towards the small pain fibers. Our model proposes three different ways for reducing wind-up and shows the most important way to treat the pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism
  • Computer Simulation
  • Computers
  • Electrophysiology / instrumentation*
  • Electrophysiology / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Neurons / pathology*
  • Pain*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Software
  • Spinal Cord / pathology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Calcium Channels
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Calcium