Peripheral Parasympathetic Networks in Pain: A Systems-Level Review of Mechanisms and Modulations
The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), a division of the autonomic nervous system, maintains physiological homeostasis within the body. The PNS seems to influence the processing of nociceptive information. A growing body of research indicates that the PNS actively contributes to various pain conditions associated with inflammation of tissues and/or neural damage. Therefore, the aim of this review is to integrate current findings regarding the peripheral parasympathetic pathways implicated in pain, encompassing direct cholinergic actions and indirect effects on the sensory nervous system. Enhanced insight into PNS-sensory interactions in pain could provide a basis for identifying new strategies for the prevention and management of pain conditions.
Authors
- Fang Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3408-8090)
- Shilin Jia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6715-9935)
- Wenguo Fan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1933-1446)
- Hui Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2806-6372)
- Ruihan Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0704-9176)
- Lingyu Liang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4003-9688)
- Zongpu Han (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6813-1651)
- Yuanyuan Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8557-5716)
Institutions
- Stomatology Hospital (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
- Published
- 2025-12-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-025-01637-y
- Primary Topic
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00