The vlPAG emerged as a central hub, integrating inputs from prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex. By combining a genetically encoded opioid sensor with a light-activated naloxone, we found that endogenous opioid release in the vlPAG is necessary for placebo pain relief.
Huge thanks to our collaborators and to the Rita Allen Foundation for early support.
bioRxiv Neuroscience
Two surprising findings:
• Placebo effects generalized across different types of pain
• Preemptive conditioning produced pain relief for days after injury
This highlights the potential for leveraging placebo mechanisms not only to treat pain, but also to prevent it.
Excited to share our new study on how the brain generates placebo pain relief!
We developed a mouse model that recapitulates key features of human placebo analgesia, then used it to identify causal circuitry.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
today.ucsd.edu/story/neurob...
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another new reagent from the lab! pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Scientists have identified the brain circuits tied to placebo pain relief. Researchers have known that placebo effects can be a powerful treatment, yet the underlying neurological mechanisms have not ...
