AEMCA Practice Exam

What chemical substance is known to heighten pain responses at the spinal cord?

1. Norepinephrine

2. Serotonin

3. Prostaglandins

4. Cortisol

The correct answer is: Prostaglandins

Prostaglandins are chemical substances that play a crucial role in inflammation and pain perception in the body. When tissue is damaged, prostaglandins are released and act at various sites, including the spinal cord, to enhance sensitivity to pain. They contribute to the sensation known as secondary hyperalgesia, where even non-painful stimuli can become painful due to heightened nerve signal transmission. Unlike other options, prostaglandins are specifically involved in mediating inflammation and amplifying pain responses, making them key modulators in the spinal pathways that process pain signals. Norepinephrine and serotonin are neurotransmitters with different primary functions, such as mood regulation and arousal, and cortisol is a steroid hormone associated with stress responses rather than pain enhancement. This underscores the specific role that prostaglandins have in the pain pathway at the spinal level.