RAR-alpha: Creator, protector, and tormentor.

Retinoic acid receptors are important for homeostatic synaptic plasticity and have many beneficial effects within the brain. New work by Cao et al. 1 uncovers a role for these receptors in driving neuropathic pain development, thus identifying a potential preventative therapeutic target. Retinoic acid receptors are important for homeostatic synaptic plasticity and have many beneficial effects within the brain. New work by Cao et al. uncovers a role for these receptors in driving neuropathic pain development, thus identifying a potential preventative therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]