Pain
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Review Meta Analysis
Animal models of bone cancer pain: systematic review and meta-analyses.
Pain can significantly decrease the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer. Current treatment strategies often provide inadequate analgesia and unacceptable side effects. Animal models of bone cancer pain are used in the development of novel pharmacological approaches. ⋯ Mechanical-evoked pain behaviours were most commonly reported; however, the largest difference was observed in spontaneous pain behaviours. In the spinal cord astrocyte activation and increased levels of Substance P receptor internalisation, c-Fos, dynorphin, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β have been reported in bone cancer pain models, suggesting several potential therapeutic targets. However, the translational impact of animal models on clinical pain research could be enhanced by improving methodological quality.
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Altered gray matter volume in the frontal pain modulation network in patients with cluster headache.
Previous functional imaging studies in episodic cluster headache (CH) patients revealed altered brain metabolism concentrated on the central descending pain control system. However, it remains unclear whether changes in brain metabolism during the "in bout" period are due to structural changes and whether these structural changes vary between the "in bout" and "out of bout" periods. To quantify brain structural changes in CH patients, the regional gray matter volume (GMV) was compared among 49 episodic CH patients during the "in bout" period and 49 age- and sex-matched controls. ⋯ Compared to "out of bout" scans, the "in bout" scans revealed significant GMV increases in the left anterior cingulate, insula, and fusiform gyrus. Additionally, compared to healthy controls, the "out of bout" scans revealed a trend of GMV reduction in the left middle frontal gyrus. These affected regions primarily belong to frontal pain modulation areas, and thus these GMV changes may reflect insufficient pain-modulating capacity in the frontal areas of CH patients.