Articles: neuralgia.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Nov 2018
Observational StudyRobot-Guided Neuronavigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Central Neuropathic Pain.
To confirm and extend previous results involving repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) aimed at alleviating refractory central neuropathic pain (CNP). To evaluate pain relief in detail and to assess ongoing benefits after one year of treatment. ⋯ These results confirm that multiple rTMS sessions are both safe and have potential as a treatment for CNP. An ongoing randomized controlled trial will allow teasing out of this effect from placebo analgesia.
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Electrical stimulation of the spinal cord is commonly used to treat neuropathic pain. However, epidural space adhesion caused by previous surgery may interfere with precise electrical lead placement. We here report a case of successful placement of electrical leads via an extraforaminal approach in the management of recurrent pain after primary spinal cord stimulation. Extraforaminal nerve root stimulation may be an alternative choice for repeated epidural spinal cord stimulation in cases of recurrent neuropathic pain.
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Distal and proximal entrapment neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and cervical radiculopathy (CR) share similar etiologies. Experimental models suggest that, despite comparable etiology, pathomechanisms associated with injuries of the peripheral and central axon branches are distinct. This study therefore compared self-reported and elicited sensory profiles in patients with distal and proximal entrapment neuropathies. ⋯ While QST profiles were similar between patients with CTS and CR, self-reported pain profiles differed and may suggest distinct underlying mechanisms in these patient cohorts.
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Tobacco smoking is particularly evident in individuals experiencing chronic pain. This complex relationship is poorly understood at both molecular and behavioral levels. Here, we describe experiments aimed at understanding whether a chronic pain state induces neuroadaptations into the brain or peripheral nerves that involve nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and whether these neuroadaptations directly lead to increased vulnerability to nicotine addiction or to the development of coping strategies to relieve pain symptoms. ⋯ Spinal nerve ligation and sham rats were equally sensitive to nicotine-induced anxiety-like behavior and antinociception; however, nicotine produced a potent and long-lasting antiallodynic effect in spinal nerve ligation rats. These results demonstrate that chronic pain leads to plasticity of nAChRs that do not directly facilitate nicotine addictive behaviors. Instead, nicotine potently decreases allodynia, an effect that could lead to increased nicotine consumption in chronic pain subjects.
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To investigate if a combination of anticonvulsant and antidepressant, two primary therapies for neuropathic pain, is associated with improved pain control compared to individual therapy. ⋯ The initiation of a combination of anticonvulsant and antidepressant shortly after SCI was not associated with improved pain control at 6 months compared to individual therapy. Adherent patients reported lower levels of pain; further analysis is warranted to elucidate this association.