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Potvin S, Vincenot M, Haroune L, Giguère CÉ, Gendron L, Léonard G, Marchand S. Data-driven dynamic profiles of tonic heat pain perception in pain-free volunteers are associated with differences in anandamide levels. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17238. [PMID: 39060336 PMCID: PMC11282288 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67401-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Our laboratory previously developed a method for assessing experimentally induced pain perception through a 2-min constant heat pain stimulation. However, the traditional analysis relying on group means struggles to interpret the considerable inter-individual variability due to the dynamic nature of the response. Recently, trajectory analysis techniques based on extended mixed models have emerged, providing insights into distinct response profiles. Notably, these methods have never been applied to pain paradigms before. Furthermore, various socio-demographic and neurobiological factors, including endocannabinoids, may account for these inter-individual differences. This study aims to apply the novel analysis to dynamic pain responses and investigate variations in response profiles concerning socio-demographic, psychological, and blood endocannabinoid concentrations. 346 pain-free participants were enrolled in a psychophysical test involving a continuous painful heat stimulation lasting for 2 min at a moderate intensity. Pain perception was continuously recorded using a computerized visual scale. Dynamic pain response analyses were conducted using the innovative extended mixed model approach. In contrast to the traditional group-mean analysis, the extended mixed model revealed three pain response trajectories. Trajectory 1 is characterized by a delay peak pain. Trajectory 2 is equivalent to the classic approach (peak pain follow by a constant and moderate increase of pain perception). Trajectory 3 is characterized by extreme responses (steep peak pain, decrease, and increase of pain perception), Furthermore, age and blood anandamide levels exhibited significant variations among these three trajectories. Using an innovative statistical approach, we found that a large proportion of our sample had a response significantly different from the average expected response. Endocannabinoid system seems to play a role in pain response profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Potvin
- Centre de recherche, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal (Qc), Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Montreal (Qc), Canada.
| | - Matthieu Vincenot
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (Qc), Canada
- Centre de Recherche sur le Vieillissement, CUISSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Lounès Haroune
- Pharmacology Institute of Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (Qc), Canada
| | - Charles-Édouard Giguère
- Centre de recherche, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal (Qc), Canada
| | - Louis Gendron
- Pharmacology Institute of Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (Qc), Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (Qc), Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (Qc), Canada
| | - Guillaume Léonard
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (Qc), Canada
- Centre de Recherche sur le Vieillissement, CUISSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Serge Marchand
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (Qc), Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke (Qc), Canada
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2
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Bouko-Levy E, Auditeau E, Marguerite F, Lacorre A, Gauthier T. Prevalence of neuropathic pain in patients with symptomatic endometriosis: Assessment using the DN4 score. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2024; 300:196-201. [PMID: 39025040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying pain in cases of endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain are complex, often involving various types of pain; mainly nociceptive pain, central sensitization, and neuropathic pain. Our main objective was to examine the prevalence of neuropathic pain in women with symptomatic endometriosis, and secondary, to explore the factors associated with this type of pain and to assess the prevalence of a positive PPSC score and a history of sexual violence within this population. This study is a retrospective, comparative, single-center cohort study conducted from September 2019 to January 2023. The presence of neuropathic pain was confirmed by a positive DN4 score, defined as greater than or equal to 4. The association with the following variables was studied: age, BMI, marital status, smoking, alcohol and drugs consumption, age at menarche, gestity, parity, duration of exposure to endometriosis, MRI locations, laparoscopy for endometriosis and post-laparoscopy r-ASRM classification, hormone treatment, associated symptoms, VAS, associated pathologies, infertility consultation, Pain Center consultation, EPH-5 score, positive PPSC score (≥5), and history of sexual violence. The prevalence of neuropathic pain was 44.1%. Younger age, being in a relationship, having a high EPH-5 score and undergoing laparoscopy for endometriosis are associated with neuropathic pain independently of other variables. Our study underscores the persistent high prevalence of neuropathic pain in endometriosis cases, emphasizing the importance of actively screening for it. Identifying neuropathic pain could prompt referrals to pain specialists, integrating it into a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bouko-Levy
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mother and Child Hospital, University Hospital Center of Limoges, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - E Auditeau
- Inserm U1094, IRD U270, Univ. Limoges, CHU Limoges, EpiMaCT - Épidémiologie des Maladies Chroniques en Zone Tropicale, Institut D'épidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France
| | - F Marguerite
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mother and Child Hospital, University Hospital Center of Limoges, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - A Lacorre
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mother and Child Hospital, University Hospital Center of Limoges, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - T Gauthier
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Mother and Child Hospital, University Hospital Center of Limoges, 87000 Limoges, France; Pharmacology and Transplantation, INSERM U1248, Université de Limoges, 2 Rue du Pr Descottes, 87000 Limoges, France.
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3
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Deng J, Sun C, Zheng Y, Gao J, Cui X, Wang Y, Zhang L, Tang P. In vivo imaging of the neuronal response to spinal cord injury: a narrative review. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:811-817. [PMID: 37843216 PMCID: PMC10664102 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.382225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the neuronal response to injury in the spinal cord is essential for exploring treatment strategies for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, this subject has been neglected in part because appropriate tools are lacking. Emerging in vivo imaging and labeling methods offer great potential for observing dynamic neural processes in the central nervous system in conditions of health and disease. This review first discusses in vivo imaging of the mouse spinal cord with a focus on the latest imaging techniques, and then analyzes the dynamic biological response of spinal cord sensory and motor neurons to SCI. We then summarize and compare the techniques behind these studies and clarify the advantages of in vivo imaging compared with traditional neuroscience examinations. Finally, we identify the challenges and possible solutions for spinal cord neuron imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Deng
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chang Sun
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Jianpeng Gao
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Cui
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Orthopedics, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Licheng Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Peifu Tang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
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Rosner J, de Andrade DC, Davis KD, Gustin SM, Kramer JLK, Seal RP, Finnerup NB. Central neuropathic pain. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2023; 9:73. [PMID: 38129427 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-023-00484-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Central neuropathic pain arises from a lesion or disease of the central somatosensory nervous system such as brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis or related neuroinflammatory conditions. The incidence of central neuropathic pain differs based on its underlying cause. Individuals with spinal cord injury are at the highest risk; however, central post-stroke pain is the most prevalent form of central neuropathic pain worldwide. The mechanisms that underlie central neuropathic pain are not fully understood, but the pathophysiology likely involves intricate interactions and maladaptive plasticity within spinal circuits and brain circuits associated with nociception and antinociception coupled with neuronal hyperexcitability. Modulation of neuronal activity, neuron-glia and neuro-immune interactions and targeting pain-related alterations in brain connectivity, represent potential therapeutic approaches. Current evidence-based pharmacological treatments include antidepressants and gabapentinoids as first-line options. Non-pharmacological pain management options include self-management strategies, exercise and neuromodulation. A comprehensive pain history and clinical examination form the foundation of central neuropathic pain classification, identification of potential risk factors and stratification of patients for clinical trials. Advanced neurophysiological and neuroimaging techniques hold promise to improve the understanding of mechanisms that underlie central neuropathic pain and as predictive biomarkers of treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Rosner
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bern, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel C de Andrade
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Karen D Davis
- Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sylvia M Gustin
- Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NeuroRecovery Research Hub, School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John L K Kramer
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, ICORD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Rebecca P Seal
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Departments of Neurobiology and Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nanna B Finnerup
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Widerström-Noga E, Biering-Sørensen F, Bryce TN, Cardenas DD, Finnerup NB, Jensen MP, Richards JS, Rosner J, Taylor J. The international spinal cord injury pain basic data set (version 3.0). Spinal Cord 2023; 61:536-540. [PMID: 37491608 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-023-00919-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Expert opinion, feedback, revisions, and final consensus. OBJECTIVES To update the International Spinal Cord Injury Pain Basic Data Set (ISCIPBDS version 2.0) and incorporate suggestions from the SCI pain clinical and research community with respect to overall utility. SETTING International. METHODS The ISCIPBDS working group evaluated these suggestions and made modifications. The revised ISCIPBDS (Version 3.0) was then reviewed by members of the International SCI Data Sets Committee, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Board, the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) Executive and Scientific Committees, individual reviewers and societies, and posted on the ASIA and ISCoS websites for 1 month to elicit comments before final approval by ASIA and ISCoS. RESULTS The ISCIPBDS (Version 3.0) was updated to make the dataset more flexible and useful: 1. The assessment can be based on the patient's perception of several of his/her "worst" pain(s) or based on the International SCI Pain (ISCIP) Classification-defined or other pain types, depending on the specific research questions or clinical needs. 2. Pain interference should usually be rated for overall pain but may also be used for specific pain problems if needed. 3. An optional pain drawing was added to complement the check box documentation of pain location. 4. Data categories consistent with the Extended Pain Dataset list of current treatments were added. 5. Several new training cases were added.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Widerström-Noga
- Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Fin Biering-Sørensen
- Department for Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries, Rigshospitalet, and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas N Bryce
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diana D Cardenas
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Nanna B Finnerup
- Danish Pain Research Center, Department of Clinical medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mark P Jensen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J Scott Richards
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jan Rosner
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bern, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Julian Taylor
- Sensorimotor Function Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Servicio de Salud Castilla-La Mancha (SESCAM), Toledo, Spain
- Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (SESCAM), Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Toledo, Spain
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Scheuren PS, Bösch S, Rosner J, Allmendinger F, Kramer JLK, Curt A, Hubli M. Priming of the autonomic nervous system after an experimental human pain model. J Neurophysiol 2023; 130:436-446. [PMID: 37405990 PMCID: PMC10625835 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00064.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Modulated autonomic responses to noxious stimulation have been reported in experimental and clinical pain. These effects are likely mediated by nociceptive sensitization, but may also, more simply reflect increased stimulus-associated arousal. To disentangle between sensitization- and arousal-mediated effects on autonomic responses to noxious input, we recorded sympathetic skin responses (SSRs) in response to 10 pinprick and heat stimuli before (PRE) and after (POST) an experimental heat pain model to induce secondary hyperalgesia (EXP) and a control model (CTRL) in 20 healthy females. Pinprick and heat stimuli were individually adapted for pain perception (4/10) across all assessments. Heart rate, heart rate variability, and skin conductance level (SCL) were assessed before, during, and after the experimental heat pain model. Both pinprick- and heat-induced SSRs habituated from PRE to POST in CTRL, but not EXP (P = 0.033). Background SCL (during stimuli application) was heightened in EXP compared with CTRL condition during pinprick and heat stimuli (P = 0.009). Our findings indicate that enhanced SSRs after an experimental pain model are neither fully related to subjective pain, as SSRs dissociated from perceptual responses, nor to nociceptive sensitization, as SSRs were enhanced for both modalities. Our findings can, however, be explained by priming of the autonomic nervous system during the experimental pain model, which makes the autonomic nervous system more susceptible to noxious input. Taken together, autonomic readouts have the potential to objectively assess not only nociceptive sensitization but also priming of the autonomic nervous system, which may be involved in the generation of distinct clinical pain phenotypes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The facilitation of pain-induced sympathetic skin responses observed after experimentally induced central sensitization is unspecific to the stimulation modality and thereby unlikely solely driven by nociceptive sensitization. In addition, these enhanced pain-induced autonomic responses are also not related to higher stimulus-associated arousal, but rather a general priming of the autonomic nervous system. Hence, autonomic readouts may be able to detect generalized hyperexcitability in chronic pain, beyond the nociceptive system, which may contribute to clinical pain phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Simonne Scheuren
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bern, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sofia Bösch
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Rosner
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bern, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Danish Pain Research Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Florin Allmendinger
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John Lawrence Kipling Kramer
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michèle Hubli
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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van der Miesen MM, Vossen CJ, Joosten EA. Habituation to Pain in Patients with Chronic Pain: Clinical Implications and Future Directions. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4305. [PMID: 37445339 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, the latest insights into habituation to pain in chronic pain are summarized. Using a systematic search, results of studies on the evidence of habituation to (experimental) pain in migraine, chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, and a variety of chronic pain indications are presented. In migraine, reduced habituation based on self-report and the EEG-based N1 and N2-P2 amplitude is reported, but the presence of contradictory results demands further replication in larger, well-designed studies. Habituation to pain in chronic low back pain seems not to differ from controls, with the exception of EEG measures. In fibromyalgia patients, there is some evidence for reduced habituation of the N2-P2 amplitude. Our analysis shows that the variability between outcomes of studies on habituation to pain is high. As the mechanisms underlying habituation to pain are still not fully understood and likely involve several pathways, it is now too early to conclude that habituation to pain is related to clinical outcomes and can be used as a diagnostic marker. The review ends with a discussion on future directions for research including the use of standard outcome measures to improve comparisons of habituation to pain in patients and controls, as well as a focus on individual differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite M van der Miesen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Catherine J Vossen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elbert A Joosten
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Widerström-Noga E. Neuropathic Pain and Spinal Cord Injury: Management, Phenotypes, and Biomarkers. Drugs 2023:10.1007/s40265-023-01903-7. [PMID: 37326804 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01903-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain after a spinal cord injury (SCI) continues to be a complex condition that is difficult to manage due to multiple underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and the association with psychosocial factors. Determining the individual contribution of each of these factors is currently not a realistic goal; however, focusing on the primary mechanisms may be more feasible. One approach used to uncover underlying mechanisms includes phenotyping using pain symptoms and somatosensory function. However, this approach does not consider cognitive and psychosocial mechanisms that may also significantly contribute to the pain experience and impact treatment outcomes. Indeed, clinical experience supports that a combination of self-management, non-pharmacological, and pharmacological approaches is needed to optimally manage pain in this population. This article will provide a broad updated summary integrating the clinical aspects of SCI-related neuropathic pain, potential pain mechanisms, evidence-based treatment recommendations, neuropathic pain phenotypes and brain biomarkers, psychosocial factors, and progress regarding how defining neuropathic pain phenotypes and other surrogate measures in the neuropathic pain field may lead to targeted treatments for neuropathic pain after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Widerström-Noga
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, 1611 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
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