Funct Neurol
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Gabapentin (GBP) is a new, well-tolerated antiepileptic drug found to be effective for painful paroxysmal symptoms (PS) in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to obtain a neurophysiological evaluation of the effects of GBP on the nociceptive system of MS patients suffering PS. We studied 10 MS patients, 6 males, 4 females (mean age 47.3 years), suffering PS (3 had trigeminal neuralgia, 1 painful tonic spasms and 6 dysesthetic or paresthetic symptoms). ⋯ R3 nociceptive reflex was recorded after 2 weeks' treatment. R3 thresholds and latencies were evaluated and a statistical analysis was performed. A significant variation was found in R3 thresholds between the values recorded before and during GBP treatment; no significant variation was observed in R3 latencies.