The role of microglia in chronic pain and depression: innocent bystander or culprit?

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2021 Apr;238(4):949-958. doi: 10.1007/s00213-021-05780-4. Epub 2021 Feb 5.

Abstract

Clinical evidence shows that chronic pain and depression often accompany each other, but the underlying pathogenesis of comorbid chronic pain and depression remains mostly undetermined. Biotechnology is gradually revealing the phenotype and function of microglia, with great progress regarding microglia's role in neurodegeneration, depression, chronic pain, and other conditions. This article summarizes the role of microglia in chronic pain, depression, and comorbidities, which is conducive to finding new targets to treat chronic pain and depression.

Keywords: Chronic pain; Depression; Microglia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chronic Pain / physiopathology*
  • Comorbidity
  • Depression / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Microglia*