Targeting voltage-gated sodium channels for treatment for chronic visceral pain

Figure 2 A model showing the three states of the sodium channel. Tissue damage/inflammation leads to activation of the sodium channel from a closed state. Once activated, sodium ions entered through the channel and evoke the action potential of the cell membrane, eventually producing the sensation of pain. Once the channel becomes inactivated, it must go to a closed state before being activated again. Action potentials and inward currents were recorded from a colon specific dorsal root ganglion neuron from a healthy rat.