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DRG neuron necklace | 18K gold vermeil
In 2018 you finished your pain neuroscience PhD and recognized dorsal root ganglion neurons as the structure that held your research together. Ten years earlier you were struggling with neuropathic pain and didn't know the neurons were there. The DRG neuron necklace is the pendant for that span, a 47 mm gold milestone piece.
The Science Behind the DRG Neuron
Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons are primary sensory neurons that detect pain, temperature, touch, and proprioception. Their pseudo-unipolar morphology distinguishes them from typical neurons: a single axon branches into central (to spinal cord) and peripheral (to skin and organs) projections. Different functional classes carry different signals: A-β fibres carry touch and vibration, A-δ fibres carry sharp pain and cold, C-fibres carry slow burning pain, warmth, and itch. DRG neurons express specialized ion channels (TRPV1, TRPA1, TRPM8) for thermal sensation. Mutations in SCN9A (sodium channel) cause heritable channelopathies ranging from erythromelalgia (excessive pain and heat sensation) to congenital insensitivity to pain (no pain at all). Clinical therapeutics targeting DRG neurons include capsaicin patches, lidocaine, and gabapentinoid drugs.
Worn By
- pain neuroscientists, neuropathophysiologists, and researchers studying sensory transduction
- neurologists specializing in neuropathic pain, small-fiber neuropathy, and pain management
- anesthesiologists and interventional pain specialists who target DRG pathways
- people whose personal experience with pain led them into pain research or clinical practice
Most often given at the moment someone finishes a PhD in pain neuroscience and carries that knowledge forward into a career.
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FAQ
Is this for active pain researchers only?
No. It resonates most with pain neuroscientists and clinical neurologists, but also with anyone whose personal relationship with pain is central to who they are. People living with chronic pain, those who've fought through neuropathic disease, and individuals whose careers were shaped by a personal medical moment with pain all wear this. The DRG neuron is the structure at the intersection of suffering and science.
Why do pain fibres come in different classes?
Different pain signals need different speeds. A-β fibres are fast and thick, carrying the immediate sharp "I touched something hot" message. C-fibres are slow and thin, carrying the delayed, diffuse "something is burning" sensation. A-δ fibres split the difference. The peripheral nervous system is built for multimodal sensing. You need the fast alert, the slow ache, and the temperature warning all at the same time to respond appropriately. Evolution built multiple channels because single-channel pain would fail.
What size and material?
18K gold vermeil, 47 mm pendant on a 45 cm gold vermeil chain (ø 1.8 mm) with a 5 cm extender. Nickel-free and hypoallergenic. Free worldwide DHL Express in 1-5 business days, with all import duties and taxes covered. 30-day “Love It or Return It” returns.
Is there a silver version of the DRG neuron?
Not currently. The DRG neuron is positioned as a gold-tier milestone piece in our catalog, typically a graduation or significant achievement marker in pain research. If you prefer silver or are drawn to the DRG for daily wear, let us know and we can explore that as a future variant.
Neuroscience
Dive into the intricacies of the human mind with our neuroscience-inspired jewelry collection. Each piece is a tactile ode to the neural networks that shape our thoughts, memories, and consciousness. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, our designs mirror the dendritic branches and synaptic connections that form the basis of mental activity. With these elegant pieces, wear the enigma of cognition close to your skin, offering a subtle yet profound exploration of what it means to be sentient.
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