About this Research Topic
Animal models of chronic pain that last for over 4 weeks have been developed. Studies have shown that these models also produce anxiety and depression-related behaviors at around 4-6 weeks after model induction. These chronic pain models are essential for understanding the underlying changes in chronic pain that occur in sensory neurons, the spinal cord, and the brain as well as interactions with the immune system and the painful organ/body region. This allows the identification of novel pharmacological targets for the treatment of pain and concurrent anxiety and depression-related behaviors at chronic time points.
This collection aims to summarize recent advances in our knowledge underlying chronic pain with comorbid anxiety and depression-related behavioral changes in animal models. We are looking for preclinical studies that use chronic pain models lasting over 4 weeks induced in juvenile or adult animals. We encourage research studies focusing on molecular, biochemical, anatomical, or physiological mechanisms in these animal models that contribute to chronic pain and concurrent anxiety and depression-related behaviors. Due to the high incidence of these mental health disorders in patients with chronic orofacial and visceral pain, we especially encourage authors to primarily focus on these organ systems.
Keywords: animal research, neuropathic pain model, neonatal insult, orofacial pain, visceral pain, craniofacial pain, neuropathic pain, neuroimmune, pain related behaviors
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.