A review into the role of voltage gated sodium channels 1.8 and 1.9 in pain states: and medical uses of this knowledge

Abstract

This review is aimed at discussing the role of voltage gated sodium channels (VGSC) Nav 1.8 and 1.9 in pain states. This involves establishing their role in pain states such as neuropathic and inflammatory pain, and which of these pain states the individual channels impact on and to what effect. Establishing this will involve an exploration of which neurones these channels are located around the body, sensory or nociceptive, as well how their activity impacts on their function. Also discussed will be how the routes of activation of these VGSC impacts on their role in pain sensation and detection within the neurones in which they are found. This will be achieved by the analysis of studies and investigations collected spanning a 30-year period. These experiments use many different techniques that can be compared to draw a strong conclusion on the role of Nav 1.8 and 1.9. This will be used to indicate possible uses of this knowledge in the medical fields such as anaesthesia, suggesting useful implications of the research.