Applied neurophysiology
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Applied neurophysiology · Jan 1984
Mechanism of neuroadenolysis of the pituitary for cancer pain control.
Several theories have been advanced to explain how neuroadenolysis of the pituitary (NALP) relieves cancer pain. Interference with hormonal regulation, interruption of pain pathways and a compensatory overproduction of brain endorphins have been proposed. The purpose of the present experimental study is to determine whether neuronal activity of the pituitary gland, as related to the primary somatosensory cortex (PSC), may be involved in the pain perception pathway influenced by NALP, using EEG and tooth pulp evoked potentials (TPEPs). ⋯ An injection of naloxone severely decreased this response in the pituitary gland, in contrast to changes in the PSC where the original response reappeared after an injection of naloxone. Our hypothesis is that an increase of TPEPs (hyperactivity) in the pituitary gland is produced after alcohol wounding (wounding effect), leading to a decrease of pain response in the sensory cortex (decrease of TPEPs). This wound effect may be influenced by endorphins, because naloxone, a specific antagonist of opiate receptors, reversed the changes in TPEPs in both places.
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Applied neurophysiology · Jan 1983
Spinal stimulation: statistical superiority of monophasic stimulation of narrowly separated, longitudinal bipoles having rostral cathodes.
A prospective study of a large number of spinal stimulating electrodes permitted a statistical comparison of stimulus parameters, including phase, polarity and orientation of bipolar electrodes. For the treatment of pain, the technical grade of a stimulator is proportional to the range of stimulation, which was found to be significantly greater under the conditions listed in the title.
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Results in 12 patients suffering from pain due to peripheral vascular pathology and treated with spinal neurostimulation are reported. The best results were obtained in stage III of vascular disease; however, our results indicate that regression of the pain symptom and healing of trophic lesions do not always correspond to any variation in blood flow.