Summary: - There are multiple types of nociceptors: they can differ by sensitivity to growth factors, peptide expression, conduction velocity, sensory modality - All nociceptors release glutamate thus glutamate receptors are potential targets for pain management - Sensitization occurs peripherally and centrally - Dorsal horn neurons project to multiple higher levels in the brain, notably the parabrachial nucleus, the thalamus and the insular cortex and receive descending input, directly or indirectly, from all of those same areas - There are good targets for pain management on peripheral and central terminals of nociceptors as well as through regulation of inhibition in the dorsal horn