Painful Peripheral Nerve Injury Decreases Calcium Current in Axotomized Sensory Neurons

Abstract

Axotomy is required for I(Ca) loss. I(Ca) loss correlated with changes in the biophysical properties of sensory neuron membranes during action potential generation, which were due to I(Ca) loss leading to decreased outward Ca(2+)-sensitive K currents. Taken together, these results suggest that neuropathic pain may be mediated, in part, by loss of I(Ca) and the cellular processes dependent on Ca(2+).