# Inputs to the locus coeruleus from the periaqueductal gray and rostroventral medulla shape opioid-mediated descending pain modulation

*PRI Rank #12 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/neuropeptides-and-animal-physiology/2026/rank-12*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #12 |
| 18m citations | 30 |
| Journal | Science Advances |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1126/sciadv.adj9581 |
| Corresponding authors | Matthew R. Banghart |
| Institution | University of California, San Diego, United States |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/neuropeptides-and-animal-physiology/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1126/sciadv.adj9581](https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adj9581)

## Topics

locus coeruleus · periaqueductal gray · rostroventral medulla · Pain modulation · noradrenergic neurons · Antinociception · Ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) · Antinociception · opioid-sensitive inhibitory input · disinhibition · bifurcating outputs · descending serotonergic pathways · monoaminergic modulation · Antinociception · pain-related activity · excitatory output from vlPAG to LC · RVM inhibitory input · Pain modulation

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/neuropeptides-and-animal-physiology/2026. Accessed 2026-07-31.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```