If a patient reports chronic pain despite normal tissue healing, which mechanism most likely explains the amplified pain signal transduction in the dorsal horn neurons?

💡 Explanation

Increased substance P receptor sensitivity causes amplified pain signal transduction in dorsal horn neurons, because substance P, released by nociceptors, binds more effectively, amplifying pain signals. Therefore, the answer is increased sensitivity, rather than decreased opioid signaling or enhanced inhibition, which would reduce pain.

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