The journal of pain : official journal of the American Pain Society
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Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a common consequence of the amputation of a limb. Persons with congenital limb absence (congenital amputees) or an acquired limb amputation at an early age seem to rarely experience PLP. However, the number of available studies and their sample sizes are low. ⋯ Our results indicate that PLP prevalence as well as intensity is low when the limb loss happened before the age of 5 years. PERSPECTIVE: The prevalence of phantom limb pain, residual limb pain, and non-painful phantom limb sensation in congenital amputees and participants with an amputation early in life is low. This might be due to the missing or reduced nociceptive input from the residual limb to the brain and higher development-associated adaptability of the somatosensory system.
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Pain intensity is well-known to be influenced by a wide range of biobehavioral variables. Nutritional factors, however, have not been generally considered for their potential importance. This cross-sectional study examined associations between erythrocyte omega-6 (n-6) and omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and pain intensity in 605 adults. ⋯ Overall, n-3 docosahexaenoic acid was most strongly, and inversely, associated with pain intensity. PERSPECTIVE: A higher ratio of n-6/n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids was associated greater pain intensity for orofacial pain, headache, low back pain, and bodily pain, but not abdominal pain. The n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was more consistently associated with pain intensity than any individual constituent of the long-chain PUFA ratio.
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Existing data demonstrate reduced delta power during sleep in patients with depression and chronic pain. However, there has been little examination of the relationship between delta power and pain-reports, or pain-catastrophizing. We recruited female participants (n = 111) with insomnia and temporomandibular disorder, and measured nocturnal and daytime measures of pain and pain catastrophizing, and calculated relative nocturnal delta (0.5-4 Hz) power during sleep. ⋯ This data may guide the use of sleep interventions in clinical pain populations, with the aim of improving pain outcomes. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents data demonstrating an association between increased nocturnal delta power and reduced next-day pain. These findings may help promote interventions which aim to increase nocturnal delta power in clinical pain populations, with the goal of improving pain outcomes.
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Light therapy improves multiple conditions such as seasonal affective disorders, circadian rhythm dysregulations, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about its potential benefits in pain management. While current pharmacologic methods are effective in many cases, the associated side effects can limit their use. ⋯ Given the noninvasive nature of green light, this innovative therapy would be readily implementable in hospitals. PERSPECTIVE: This study provides a potential additional therapy to decrease postsurgical pain. Given the safety, availability, and the efficacy of green light therapy, there is a significant potential for advancing the green light therapy to clinical trials and eventual translation to clinical settings.
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Chronic pain is frequently comorbid with depression. However, the mechanisms underlying chronic pain-induced depression remain unclear. Here, we found that DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) was upregulated in the central amygdala (CeA) of spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced chronic pain-depression rats, and knockdown of DNMT1 could improve the depression-like behaviors in SNI rats. ⋯ These data provide novel insight into understanding the pathogenesis of chronic pain-induced depression and identify a potential therapeutic target. PERSPECTIVE: LncRNA XR_351665 in CeA functions as a ceRNA to block the inhibitory effect of miR-152-3p on DNMT1 and contributes to the development of chronic pain-induced depression. These data suggest that manipulation of XR_351665/miR-152-3p/DNMT1 axis may be a potential method to attenuate chronic pain-induced depression.