Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uptake Is Essential for Synaptic Plasticity in Pain.

The article presents a study on the link between mitochondrial calcium channels, synaptic plasticity of the spinal cord and chronic pain. The study reveals that calcium ions need to be sequestered in mitochondria to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly superoxide dismutase (SD), which triggers synaptic plasticity of the spinal cord. It is suggested that chronic pain can be modulated by altering the levels of mitochondrial ROS and SD in the spinal cord.