About this Research Topic
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune-mediated disease caused by inflammatory demyelination of central nervous system neurons and leads to many motor and sensory disturbances. Animal models are important in the investigation of neuroinflammatory processes that might be involved in the pathophysiology of MS. In this context, Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) has proven to be an invaluable animal model to study neuroinflammation. Animals with EAE present neuroinflammation and motor symptoms, similar to those found in MS patients. Some successful disease-modifying therapies have been developed based on EAE studies, and many potential drugs for MS are tested in pre-clinical EAE trials. Another important symptom in MS patients is pain. As EAE bears many similarities with MS, this animal model is also an important tool in the investigation of pain and several authors have published findings in this subject.
Clinical studies demonstrate a high incidence of pain symptoms in MS patients, including neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain in MS may be caused by the immune mediators and cells that are found near sensory neurons and by central neuroinflammation. They seem to be essential for the mechanism of pain in EAE as well. Thus, by using EAE, it is possible to investigate cells and molecules that are important for pain and use this knowledge to better understand pain in MS with potential therapeutic implications. Some authors have already published relevant results but there are still many gaps in this subject. In addition, the importance of recent findings on pain in MS remains unclear.
For this Research Topic, we welcome submissions of Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, Mini-Reviews and Opinions on the following themes:
• Cytokines and/or molecules involved in pain associated with MS or pain in EAE;
• Cells involved in pain associated with MS or in EAE;
• Strategies to evaluate pain in MS or in EAE;
• Comparison between pain in EAE and pain in MS;
• Differences and similarities among the models of EAE used to study pain;
• Is pain in EAE a valid model to study pain in MS?
• Therapeutic approaches for pain in MS and/or pain in EAE.
Clinical studies demonstrate a high incidence of pain symptoms in MS patients, including neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain in MS may be caused by the immune mediators and cells that are found near sensory neurons and by central neuroinflammation. They seem to be essential for the mechanism of pain in EAE as well. Thus, by using EAE, it is possible to investigate cells and molecules that are important for pain and use this knowledge to better understand pain in MS with potential therapeutic implications. Some authors have already published relevant results but there are still many gaps in this subject. In addition, the importance of recent findings on pain in MS remains unclear.
For this Research Topic, we welcome submissions of Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, Mini-Reviews and Opinions on the following themes:
• Cytokines and/or molecules involved in pain associated with MS or pain in EAE;
• Cells involved in pain associated with MS or in EAE;
• Strategies to evaluate pain in MS or in EAE;
• Comparison between pain in EAE and pain in MS;
• Differences and similarities among the models of EAE used to study pain;
• Is pain in EAE a valid model to study pain in MS?
• Therapeutic approaches for pain in MS and/or pain in EAE.
Keywords: neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, multiple sclerosis, autoimmunity, Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
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