Differential microglial dynamics and neuroinflammation underlying neuropathic pain in the central nervous system: comparative insights from spinal cord injury and compressive myelopathy models

Distinct neuroinflammatory patterns underlie chronic NeP in SCI and DCM. SCI shows M/M activation shifting from the injured site to the lumbar enlargement and limbic brain regions, consistent with chronic below-level pain. DCM shows localized M/M activation, but earlier hippocampal/amygdalar involvement, consistent with chronic at-level pain. These findings suggest pathology-specific therapeutic windows for targeting M/M-mediated neuroinflammation to prevent NeP.