Title:Fibroblast Growth Factors as Tools in the Management of Neuropathic Pain Disorders
Volume: 21
Issue: 10
Author(s): Fatemeh Forouzanfar and Hamid R. Sadeghnia*
Affiliation:
- Division of Neurocognitive Sciences, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad,Iran
Keywords:
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), neuropathic pain, central sensitization, inflammation, somatosensory, inhibitory
modulation.
Abstract: Neuropathic pain is caused by a damage to or dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous
system. The main mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain include ectopic activity in nociceptive
nerves, peripheral and central sensitization, impaired inhibitory modulation, and microglial activation.
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) make up a large family of growth factors that mediate neural development,
metabolism, and function through three main key signaling pathways, including RAS/MAP
kinase pathway, PI3 kinase/Akt pathway, and PLCγ. An association between the members of the FGF
system and the improvement of neuropathic pain has become evident, recently. These signaling molecules
may be expected to provide new drug targets for the treatment of neuropathic pain. To the best
of our knowledge, it is the first study that reviews the relationship between some members of the FGF
system and neuropathic pain.