Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (678 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Clusters of multipolar neurons surrounded by a capsule of loosely organized connective tissue located outside the central nervous system.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Nervous System
- Narrower topics
- Ganglia, Autonomic; Ganglia, Invertebrate; Ganglia, Sensory; Satellite Cells, Perineuronal
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 57,907 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Ganglia” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 5,074 of them (8.8%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 31,642 records.
Reviews account for 2,427 records (4.2%) and meta-analyses for 32. Randomized controlled trials number 243 (0.4%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 31,642 |
| 2000-2009 | 11,037 |
| 2010-2019 | 10,154 |
| 2020 onward | 5,074 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 2,427 | 4.2% |
| Meta-analyses | 32 | 0.1% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 243 | 0.4% |
Method: PubMed query "Ganglia"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in neuroscience
Neuroscience draws on tools with different strengths: cellular and animal work can manipulate circuits directly, while human imaging and electrophysiology observe the living brain at lower resolution. Small imaging studies are prone to false positives, and findings in animals do not always carry over to people. Clinical neurology and psychiatry rely on trials and cohort studies whose outcomes are often symptom scales. Check the species, the sample size, how the outcome was measured and whether results were replicated.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leveraging deep single-soma RNA sequencing to explore the neural basis of human somatosensation | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 99 | cc by PMID 39496796 · DOI · PMC11614738 |
| Neural representation of cytokines by vagal sensory neurons | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 44 | cc by PMID 40268933 · DOI · PMC12019601 |
| Histone modifications and Sp1 promote GPR160 expression in bone cancer pain within rodent models | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 27 | cc by PMID 39448865 · DOI · PMC11624276 |
| Mapping Satellite Glial Cell Heterogeneity Reveals Distinct Spatial Organization and Implies Functional Diversity in the Dorsal Root Ganglion | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 8 | cc by PMID 41134052 · DOI · PMC12767089 |
Leveraging deep single-soma RNA sequencing to explore the neural basis of human somatosensation [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The versatility of somatosensation arises from heterogeneous dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons.
- Closing excerpt
- In summary, by employing single-soma deep RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics, we generated an hDRG neuron atlas, which provides insights into human somatosensory physiology and serves as a foundation for translational work.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (134 words)
The versatility of somatosensation arises from heterogeneous dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, soma transcriptomes of individual human (h)DRG neurons-critical information to decipher their functions-are lacking due to technical difficulties. In this study, we isolated somata from individual hDRG neurons and conducted deep RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to detect, on average, over 9,000 unique genes per neuron, and we identified 16 neuronal types. These results were corroborated and validated by spatial transcriptomics and RNAscope in situ hybridization. Cross-species analyses revealed divergence among potential pain-sensing neurons and the likely existence of human-specific neuronal types. Molecular-profile-informed microneurography recordings revealed temperature-sensing properties across human sensory afferent types. In summary, by employing single-soma deep RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics, we generated an hDRG neuron atlas, which provides insights into human somatosensory physiology and serves as a foundation for translational work.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39496796 · DOI · PMC11614738
Neural representation of cytokines by vagal sensory neurons [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The nervous system coordinates with the immune system to detect and respond to harmful stimuli.
- Closing excerpt
- Thus, nodose ganglia neurons perform real-time encoding of cytokines at the first neural station in a body-brain axis, providing a new framework for studying the dynamic nature of neuroimmune communication.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (176 words)
The nervous system coordinates with the immune system to detect and respond to harmful stimuli. Inflammation is a universal response to injury and infection that involves the release of cytokines. While it is known that information about cytokines is transmitted from the body to the brain, how the nervous system encodes specific cytokines in the form of neural activity is not well understood. Using in vivo calcium imaging, we show that vagal sensory neurons within the nodose ganglia exhibit distinct real-time neuronal responses to inflammatory cytokines. Some neurons respond selectively to individual cytokines, while others encode multiple cytokines with distinct activity patterns. In male mice with induced colitis, inflammation increased the baseline activity of these neurons but decreased responsiveness to specific cytokines, reflecting altered neural excitability. Transcriptomic analysis of vagal ganglia from colitis mice revealed downregulation of cytokine signaling pathways, while neuronal activity pathways were upregulated. Thus, nodose ganglia neurons perform real-time encoding of cytokines at the first neural station in a body-brain axis, providing a new framework for studying the dynamic nature of neuroimmune communication.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40268933 · DOI · PMC12019601
Histone modifications and Sp1 promote GPR160 expression in bone cancer pain within rodent models [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Bone cancer pain (BCP) affects ~70% of patients in advanced stages, primarily due to bone metastasis, presenting a substantial therapeutic challenge.
- Closing excerpt
- Our study delineates a novel mechanism wherein elevated Sp1 levels facilitate Gpr160 gene transcription in nociceptive DRG neurons during BCP in rodents.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (168 words)
Bone cancer pain (BCP) affects ~70% of patients in advanced stages, primarily due to bone metastasis, presenting a substantial therapeutic challenge. Here, we profile orphan G protein-coupled receptors in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following tumor infiltration, and observe a notable increase in GPR160 expression. Elevated Gpr160 mRNA and protein levels persist from postoperative day 6 for over 18 days in the affected DRG, predominantly in small-diameter C-fiber type neurons specific to the tibia. Targeted interventions, including DRG microinjection of siRNA or AAV delivery, mitigate mechanical allodynia, cold, and heat hyperalgesia induced by the tumor. Tumor infiltration increases DRG neuron excitability in wild-type mice, but not in Gpr160 gene knockout mice. Tumor infiltration results in reduced H3K27me3 and increased H3K27ac modifications, enhanced binding of the transcription activator Sp1 to the Gpr160 gene promoter region, and induction of GPR160 expression. Modulating histone-modifying enzymes effectively alleviated pain behavior. Our study delineates a novel mechanism wherein elevated Sp1 levels facilitate Gpr160 gene transcription in nociceptive DRG neurons during BCP in rodents.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39448865 · DOI · PMC11624276
Mapping Satellite Glial Cell Heterogeneity Reveals Distinct Spatial Organization and Implies Functional Diversity in the Dorsal Root Ganglion [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Satellite glial cells (SGCs) enclose sensory neuron somata and initial axon segments in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and play a critical role in regulating the neuronal microenvironment.
- Closing excerpt
- The results provide novel insight into SGC heterogeneity, suggesting distinct functional properties for such subtypes of relevance for the neuronal microenvironment.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (200 words)
Satellite glial cells (SGCs) enclose sensory neuron somata and initial axon segments in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and play a critical role in regulating the neuronal microenvironment. While DRG neuron diversity is well established, SGC heterogeneity remains poorly defined. Here, the first comprehensive in situ characterization of SGC heterogeneity within the mouse DRG is presented. By integrating single-cell RNA sequencing with immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and advanced imaging techniques, four distinct SGC subtypes are identified, validated, and spatially mapped within their native anatomical context: 1) The predominant perisomatic sheaths are defined by marker proteins traditionally used to characterize the entire SGC population, including FABP7, KIR4.1, GS, and CX43. 2) OCT6+ SGCs are occasionally found in mosaic perisomatic sheaths, and commonly ensheathing initial axon segments. 3) SCN7A+ SGCs lacking traditional markers and forming specialized sheaths around nonpeptidergic neurons, suggesting a role in itch signaling. 4) Interferon response gene-expressing SGCs, responding to Herpes Simplex Virus, suggesting potential involvement in antiviral protection. Finally, human DRG is investigated and distinct inner and outer perisomatic layers with differential expression of markers are observed. The results provide novel insight into SGC heterogeneity, suggesting distinct functional properties for such subtypes of relevance for the neuronal microenvironment.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41134052 · DOI · PMC12767089
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Satellite glial cells in sensory ganglia: from form to function [5]
- Research article Migraine [6]
- Research article CGRP and the Trigeminal System in Migraine [7]
- Research article Emerging importance of satellite glia in nervous system function and dysfunction [8]
- Research article Neuronal control of leech behavior [9]
- Research article Targeting dorsal root ganglia and primary sensory neurons for the treatment of chronic pain [10]
References
- Yu H, Nagi SS, Usoskin D, Hu Y, Kupari J, Bouchatta O, et al.. Leveraging deep single-soma RNA sequencing to explore the neural basis of human somatosensation. . 2024. PMID 39496796 · DOI · PMC11614738
- Huerta TS, Chen AC, Chaudhry S, Tynan A, Morgan T, Park K, et al.. Neural representation of cytokines by vagal sensory neurons. . 2025. PMID 40268933 · DOI · PMC12019601
- Xu C, Wang Y, Ni C, Xu M, Yin C, He Q, et al.. Histone modifications and Sp1 promote GPR160 expression in bone cancer pain within rodent models. . 2024. PMID 39448865 · DOI · PMC11624276
- Ahlgreen OA, Hansen MW, Baake J, Hybel TE, Rossi R, Lai X, et al.. Mapping Satellite Glial Cell Heterogeneity Reveals Distinct Spatial Organization and Implies Functional Diversity in the Dorsal Root Ganglion. . 2026. PMID 41134052 · DOI · PMC12767089
- Hanani M. Satellite glial cells in sensory ganglia: from form to function. Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2005. PMID 15914252 · DOI
- Ashina M. Migraine. N Engl J Med. 2020. PMID 33211930 · DOI
- Iyengar S, Johnson KW, Ossipov MH, Aurora SK. CGRP and the Trigeminal System in Migraine. Headache. 2019. PMID 30982963 · DOI · PMC6593989
- Hanani M, Spray DC. Emerging importance of satellite glia in nervous system function and dysfunction. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2020. PMID 32699292 · DOI · PMC7374656
- Kristan WB, Calabrese RL, Friesen WO. Neuronal control of leech behavior. Prog Neurobiol. 2005. PMID 16260077 · DOI
- Berta T, Qadri Y, Tan PH, Ji RR. Targeting dorsal root ganglia and primary sensory neurons for the treatment of chronic pain. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2017. PMID 28480765 · DOI · PMC5890331
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.