Is aSIC3 , an acid-sensing ion channel , expressed in metaboreceptive sensory neurons?
Our data indicates that: 1) ASIC3 is expressed in a restricted population of nociceptors and probably in some non-nociceptors; 2) co-expression of ASIC3 and CGRP, and the absence of P2X3, are distinguishing properties of a class of sensory neurons, some of which innervate blood vessels. We suggest that these latter afferents may be muscle metaboreceptors, neurons that sense the metabolic state of muscle and can trigger pain when there is insufficient oxygen.
In these experiments, immediate affective evaluations reported by participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were greater or similar to controls'. This finding is consistent with recent affective research showing that experiences of pleasure are intact in schizophrenia. These results emphasize the need to disentangle affective from cognitive processes in order to better understand the complex impairments present in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.