Fig. 8: Summary of a distinct neuronal ensemble regarding the spontaneous pain induced by peripheral inflammation in the prelimbic cortex.

Main findings of this study elucidated a neuronal ensemble that encodes spontaneous pain behaviors in the PL, distinguished from other behaviors. The activity of these neurons inhibited other neurons, thus amplifying the nociception. The S1 and the IL modulated spontaneous pain neuronal activity and pain behaviors bidirectionally. The picture was revised from Brain maps 4.070, with the original drawing.