Sensory neuron

Sensory neurons are specialized nerve cells that detect and relay external and internal sensory stimuli (such as pain, temperature, touch, and chemical signals) from the body to the spinal cord and brain. They represent a diverse category of cells defined by transcriptomic, morphological, and functional features, and are distinguished by the type of stimulus they transduce, such as mechanical, thermal, or chemical signals. Sensory neurons express multiple molecular targets, including ion channels (e.g., voltage-gated sodium channels, transient receptor potential channels), G protein-coupled receptors, and specialized proteins for signal transmission. The term “sensory neuron” is not a specific therapeutic target, but many proteins found on sensory neurons are druggable and play key roles in pain, inflammation, and somatosensory disorders.

Other names

primary sensory neuronafferent neuronsomatosensory neurondorsal root ganglion neuron