Fig. 9

Overactivation of astrocytes may be a crucial mechanism in neuropathic pain, resulting in reduced EAAT2 expression. We induced neuropathic pain through spared nerve injury and detected overactivation of astrocytes in spinal cord tissues. This was accompanied by a reduction in EAAT2 expression, accumulation of glutamate, and, from a neurophysiological perspective, an increase in neuronal firing activity in the S1HL brain region.