Nociception

Nociception, the sensory mechanism that allows animals to sense and avoid potentially tissue-damaging stimuli, is critical for survival. This process relies on nociceptors, which are specialized neurons that detect and respond to potentially damaging forms of energy — heat, mechanical and chemical — in the environment. Nociceptors accomplish this task through the expression of molecules that function to detect and signal the presence of potential harm. Downstream of the nociceptive sensory input, the neural signals trigger protective (nocifensive) behaviors, and the sensory stimuli that reach the brain may be perceived as painful. In this Primer, Tracey provides an introduction to nociception systems across the animal kingdom, exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms for the detection of noxious temperature, noxious force, and noxious chemicals.