To investigate the thalamic neurotransmitters and functional connections in the development of chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain. The paw withdrawal threshold was measured by mechanical stimulation the right hind paw with the von frey hair in the rats of CCI-induced neuropathic pain. The N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and Glutamate (Glu) in thalamus were detected by magnetic resonance spectrum (MRS) process. The thalamic functional connectivity with other brain regions was scanned by functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI). The paw withdrawal threshold of the ipsilateral side showed a noticeable decline during the pathological process. Increased concentrations of Glu and decreased levels of NAA in the thalamus were significantly correlated with mechanical allodynia in the neuropathic pain states. The thalamic regional homogeneity (ReHo) decreased during the process of neuropathic pain. The functional connectivity among the thalamus with the insula and somatosensory cortex were significantly increased at different time points (7, 14, 21 days) after CCI surgery. Our study suggests that dynamic changes in thalamic NAA and Glu levels contribute to the thalamic functional connection hyper-excitation during CCI-induced neuropathic pain. Enhanced thalamus-insula functional connection might have a significant effect on the occurrence of neuropathic pain.

中文翻译：

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在慢性收缩损伤发展过程中，丘脑神经递质的新陈代谢和功能连接性改变引起神经性疼痛。

调查丘脑神经递质和功能连接在慢性收缩损伤（CCI）诱发的神经性疼痛的发展。通过机械刺激CCI诱发的神经性疼痛大鼠的右后爪和von frey毛来测量爪缩回阈值。通过磁共振波谱（MRS）检测丘脑中的N-乙酰天冬氨酸（NAA）和谷氨酸（Glu）。通过功能磁共振图像（fMRI）扫描丘脑与其他大脑区域的功能连接。在病理过程中，同侧的爪退缩阈值显示出明显的下降。丘脑中Glu浓度升高和NAA降低水平与神经性疼痛状态下的机械性异常性疼痛显着相关。在神经性疼痛过程中，丘脑区域均匀性（ReHo）降低。CCI手术后的不同时间点（7、14、21天），丘脑与岛突和体感皮层之间的功能连接性显着提高。我们的研究表明，在CCI诱发的神经性疼痛中，丘脑NAA和Glu水平的动态变化会导致丘脑功能连接过度兴奋。丘脑-绝缘层功能连接的增强可能对神经性疼痛的发生有重大影响。我们的研究表明，在CCI诱发的神经性疼痛中，丘脑NAA和Glu水平的动态变化会导致丘脑功能连接过度兴奋。丘脑-绝缘层功能连接的增强可能对神经性疼痛的发生有重大影响。我们的研究表明，在CCI诱发的神经性疼痛中，丘脑NAA和Glu水平的动态变化会导致丘脑功能连接过度兴奋。丘脑-绝缘层功能连接的增强可能对神经性疼痛的发生有重大影响。