Current Issue

Clinical manifestations and pathological mechanisms of central post-stroke pain at different lesion sites

CHEN Xiao-Li¹, LEI Jing^1,2, YOU Hao-Jun^1,2,*

¹Center for Translational Medicine Research on Sensory-Motor Diseases, Yan'an University, Yan'an 716000, China；²Key Laboratory of Pain Precision Treatment and Rehabilitation of Shaanxi Province Higher Education Institutions, Yan'an 716000, China

Abstract

Central post-stroke pain (CPSP), a common sequela of stroke, is a type of central neuropathic pain characterized by spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, and allodynia, which significantly hinders post-stroke rehabilitation. The pathophysiology of CPSP is complex, involving functional abnormalities in multiple neural pathways. Core mechanisms include central sensitization, central disinhibition, neuroglial overactivation, and neurotransmitter imbalances, all of which are associated with neuroinflammation and ion channel dysregulation. This review systematically summarizes the clinical manifestations and molecular mechanisms of CPSP induced by stroke lesions in different brain regions (brainstem, thalamus, and cortex), with a focus on maladaptive reorganization of pain pathways, neuroglia-mediated neuroinflammation, and ion channel modulation. The aim is to provide a theoretical foundation for targeted interventions in CPSP and explore potential therapeutic strategies.

Key words: sensory pathway; central post-stroke pain; neuroinflammation; thalamus; ion channels

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 尤浩军　　E-mail:

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2025.0088

Citing This Article：

CHEN Xiao-Li, LEI Jing, YOU Hao-Jun. Clinical manifestations and pathological mechanisms of central post-stroke pain at different lesion sites. Acta Physiol Sin 2025; 77 (6): 1023-1034 (in Chinese with English abstract).