Functional signatures of human somatosensory C-fibers described by microneurography

How can we better understand and treat pain? An important question that many people ask when they suffer from chronic pain. An answer could lie in the characterization of different types of pain related fibers. In a review article published in the journal "Pain", Prof. Dr. Barbara Namer and Prof. Dr. Angelika Lampert discuss the characterization of different types of pain fibers in human skin. Using microneurography, different fiber types can be characterized with regard to their biophysical and sensory properties.

 The authors examine the functional properties of C-fibers in human skin. In patients suffering from neuropathies, mechano-insensitive C-fibers tend to exhibit spontaneous activity. The article also shows ways in which findings from microneurography can be combined with other scientific methods to identify biomarkers and develop targeted treatments for pain and itching in humans.

The paper and a video abstract can be found at the following link: journals.lww.com/pain/fulltext/9900/functional_signatures_of_human_somatosensory_c.883.aspx