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Expression of the neuropeptide galanin is markedly up‐regulated within the adult dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following peripheral nerve injury. We have previously demonstrated that galanin knockout (Gal‐KO) mice have a developmental loss of a subset of DRG neurons. Galanin also plays a trophic role in the adult animal, and the rate of peripheral nerve regeneration and neurite outgrowth is reduced in adult Gal‐KO mice. Here we describe the characterization of mice with an absence of GalR2 gene transcription (GalR2‐MUT) and demonstrate that they have a 15% decrease in the number of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) expressing neuronal profiles in the adult DRG, associated with marked deficits in neuropathic and inflammatory pain behaviours. Adult GalR2‐MUT animals also have a one third reduction in neurite outgrowth from cultured DRG neurons that cannot be rescued by either galanin or a …