If a patient experiences chronic pain despite non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which consequence involving nociceptor function and pain modulation is the MOST probable?

💡 Explanation

Increased substance P release in the dorsal horn is most probable because NSAIDs typically target inflammation at the site of injury, rather than centrally modulating pain signals. Therefore, if NSAIDs are ineffective, the likely mechanism is increased substance P transmission amplifying pain signals, rather than reduced nerve sensitivity or enhanced inhibitory pathways.

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