Core Insights - A research team from the University of Pennsylvania and Scripps Research has discovered a previously overlooked type of brain cell that activates during persistent pain, potentially opening new treatment avenues for chronic pain affecting about 1/5 of the global population [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The focus of the research is on the periaqueductal gray area, specifically the lateral parabrachial nucleus, which acts as a hub for processing sensory information and relaying it to other brain regions [1] - In mouse experiments, a specific subset of neurons carrying neuropeptide Y receptors was identified, which remain active in a "persistent mode" following initial pain stimuli such as nerve injury [1] - Activation of these Y1R neurons in mice resulted in typical pain responses, while blocking their activity significantly alleviated persistent pain without affecting responses to acute threats like high temperatures [1] Group 2: Implications for Pain Treatment - The study indicates that during stress, other brain regions release neuropeptide Y to the lateral parabrachial nucleus, naturally achieving analgesic effects [1] - This physiological mechanism provides crucial insights for the development of new analgesic drugs, with the neuropeptide Y signaling pathway identified as a promising drug target for chronic pain treatment [1]