A Modified FLIT-B Model of Trigeminal Neuralgia Reveals Anterior Cingulate Cortex Involvement in Anxiety-Like Behavior in Mice

    May 2026 in “ The Journal of Headache and Pain ”
    Xiaoqin Lian, Taoxia Xie, CHEN CHIN CHEN, Jing Deng, Sijing Zhao, Tongtong Gao, Mei Fu, Weiyi Ye, Kunxin Yang, Na Zhou, Lei Tang, Dihan Lu, Xia Feng, Shiqian Shen, Qian Chen
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    TLDR Inhibiting certain brain neurons may reduce pain and anxiety in trigeminal neuralgia.
    The study introduces an improved FLIT-B model for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in mice, which involves compressing the trigeminal nerve root using glass beads. This model successfully replicates key clinical features of TN, including spontaneous pain-like behaviors and anxiety-like symptoms. The research highlights the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as a critical area of structural and functional plasticity, linking chronic trigeminal pain to affective disturbances. The study found that inhibiting excitatory neurons in the ACC significantly reduced both pain-like and anxiety-like behaviors, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for TN-related affective disorders.
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