Fig. 3

The left thalamus (3 × 3 × 3 mm) ¹H-MRS detection and correlation analysis between Neurotransmitters and Paw withdrawal thresholds (PWT) in pain condition. a–d The Glu, NAA in the thalamus were evaluated by MRS scanning at different time points ( baseline, days 7, 14, 21 after surgery) in Sham and CCI rats. e–j Correlation analysis between thalamic Glu, NAA and mechanical pain thresholds on the days 7, 14, 21 after CCI surgery (CCI, n = 9). CCI-induced Glu increased compared with the sham group, two-way repeated ANOVA, F_{1, 51} = 262.684, P < 0.001, post hoc Turkey test: *P < 0.001; CCI-induced NAA decreased compared with the sham group, two-way repeated ANOVA, F_{1, 51} = 250.05, P < 0.001, post hoc Turkey test: ^#P < 0.001