Epigenetics of chronic pain
Epigenetics of chronic pain is the study of how epigenetic modifications of genes affect the development and maintenance of chronic pain. Chromatin modifications have been found to affect neural function, such as synaptic plasticity and memory formation, which are important mechanisms of chronic pain. In 2019, 20% of adults dealt with chronic pain. Epigenetics can provide a new perspective on the biological mechanisms and potential treatments of chronic pain. Chronic pain Chronic pain is often caused by peripheral tissue inflammation or nerve and tissue damage. Chronic pain can have a variety of causes, but one potential cause is the production of a pain wind-up, which is an increase in pain intensity in response to persistent activation of pain signals. This persistent pain reduces the threshold to feel pain over time and amplifies the pain response at the site of injury and surrounding areas. Around 100 million adults have chronic pain in the US, and the economic loss caused by chronic pain is around 600 million dollars. Chronic pain and accompanying chronic health conditions take a physical and mental toll on those who suffer from them. Rates of depression have been shown to be higher in people with chronic pain, and