Regulation of T-type calcium channels in the peripheral pain pathway

Recent evidence strongly suggests that both central and peripheral T-type Ca(2+) channels enhance somatic and visceral nociceptive inputs, as well as that regulation of T-type Ca(2+) channel function can result in significant changes of pain threshold in a variety of animal models. Therefore, T-type Ca(2+) channels in peripheral and central pain pathways, although previously unrecognized, may have great importance as targets for developing new therapies against pain. This is particularly critical in cases in which currently available treatments are limited due to serious side effects or are not consistently effective (e.g., chronic neuropathic pain). In this review, we summarize recent studies of the regulation of T-type channels in peripheral sensory neurons by means of redox agents and neuroactive steroids, as well as studies of the function of these channels in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain.