Exploratory transcriptomic analysis of neuropathic pain identifies gene expression changes related to neuronal signaling and inflammation

Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition caused by lesions or diseases affecting the somatosensory nervous system and is associated with complex molecular changes in neural tissues. Public transcriptomic datasets provide valuable resources for exploring these molecular mechanisms. In this study, an exploratory analysis of the publicly available GSE24982 dataset was performed to investigate gene expression changes in dorsal root ganglia following spinal nerve ligation. Differential gene expression analysis using the GEO2R platform identified multiple genes associated with immune signaling, neuronal communication, and ion channel regulation. Notably, genes involved in neuronal excitability, including calcium and potassium channel-related transcripts, were detected among the differentially expressed genes. These findings are consistent with known mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain, including neuroinflammation and altered neuronal excitability. This study highlights the potential of publicly available transcriptomic datasets for exploratory bioinformatic analyses and for identifying molecular pathways relevant to neuropathic pain.