Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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The role of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in chronic neuropathic pain has been suggested, but the role of the NAc in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuropathic pain remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether optogenetic stimulation of the NAc influences DRG compression-induced neuropathic pain. ⋯ The NAc core impacts the reward and motivational aspects of chronic neuropathic pain influenced by limbic behaviors to thalamic discharge. Increased thalamic firing activity may result in chronic compressed DRG-induced neuropathic pain, and optogenetic neuromodulation of the NAc can ease chronic pain and thalamic discharge.
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Nociceptive signals from lumbar intervertebral discs ascend in the sympathetic chain via the L2 dorsal root ganglion (L2 DRG), a potential target for discogenic low back pain in neuromodulation. Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET-CT) measures functional changes in the brain metabolic activity, identified by the changes in the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) as determined by the changes of F-18 Fluoro-deoxyglucose (18 F FDG) tracer within brain tissues. ⋯ This is the first ever study reporting the changes in cerebral metabolic activity and multi-frame static brain 18 F FDG PET imaging after L2 DRG stimulation for discogenic low back pain. Predominantly an increased metabolic activity in nociceptive brain matrices are seen with an increased in F18 F FDG uptake following L2 DRG stimulation.
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Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) has recently emerged as a neuromodulation modality in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of different Burst-DRGS amplitudes in an experimental model of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN). ⋯ Our findings indicate a nonlinear relationship between Burst-DRGS amplitude and behavioral outcome, with an estimated optimal amplitude of 52% MT. Further optimization and analysis of DRGS driven by insights into the underlying mechanisms related to the various stimulation paradigms is warranted.