Peripheral nerve injury increases the probability of thalamocortical burst firing remotely via microglia-dependent enhancement of tonic inhibition

receptors in TC neurons prevented IONC-induced changes in membrane properties, and that brain-wide microglial ablation exhibited the same tendency. Whereas brainstem local microglial ablation prevented IONC-induced enhancement of tonic inhibition, thalamic local microglial ablation failed to cause the same phenomenon. Thus, our results suggest that IONC alters distant TC firing via microglial and tonic inhibitory interactions along the ascending pathway. By using these remote mechanisms, peripheral nerve injury may cause central sensitization of neuropathic pain.