Delineation of the molecular changes and neural circuit(s) that drive nociplastic pain
The 5th Annual MSC Emerging Science Contest for Early-Career Investigators took place on January 7, 2026. Below is a description of one of the presentations from the contest. (A recording of the event is available here).
Category: Pain
Winner: Sekun Park, PhD, HHMI and University of Washington
Title: Delineation of the molecular changes and neural circuit(s) that drive nociplastic pain
Description: Our study investigated how specific neurons in the parabrachial nucleus contribute to the development and maintenance of persistent pain. Using fixed tissue single-cell RNA sequencing across pain onset, chronic, and recovery phases, we identified sustained activation of CGRP-expressing neurons in the parabrachial nucleus of brainstem and persistent upregulation of the neurotrophic factor BDNF. These molecular changes were linked to long-lasting pain sensitivity even after the initial triggers were resolved. Functionally, BDNF knockout alleviated chronic pain behaviors, while increasing local BDNF by infusion prolonged pain states. These findings establish BDNF as a key molecular driver of pain persistence within this brainstem circuit and provide new insight into mechanisms underlying maladaptive pain plasticity.