Figure 8

Neural network hypothesis related to the present animal model of CPSP. A. Pathophysiological mechanisms in the MT-ACC pathway and STT are triggered to disinhibit the projection from the lateral thalamus and insula to the medial thalamus, resulting in mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. B. The mPFC plays an executive function role to interact with the amygdala, which responds to negative emotional information. The mPFC inhibits activation of the amygdala, whereas negative information in the amygdala is conveyed to the mPFC. The mPFC then interprets the emotional information properly. Nociceptive information from the amygdala is transmitted to the PAG to process acute and chronic pain to induce antinociception.