Pain
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Neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) is a new and ill-defined disease characterized by pain, discomfort, aching, burning sensation, irritation, dryness, and grittiness. However, the mechanism underlying NCP remain unclear. Here, we reported a novel rat model of primary NCP induced by long ciliary nerve (LCN) ligation. ⋯ At a molecular level, upregulated mRNA levels of ion channels Piezo2, TRPM8, and TRPV1, as well as inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were also detected in the TG after LCN ligation. Meanwhile, consecutive oral gabapentin attenuated LCN ligation-induced corneal hyperalgesia and increased levels of ion channels and inflammation factors in TG. This study provides a reliable primary NCP model induced by LCN ligation in rats using a simple, minimally invasive surgery technique, which may help shed light on the underlying cellular and molecular bases of NCP and aid in developing a new treatment for the disease.
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Neuropathic pain is a devastating condition where current therapeutics offer little to no pain relief. Novel nonnarcotic therapeutic targets are needed to address this growing medical problem. Our work identified the G-protein-coupled receptor 160 (GPR160) as a potential target for therapeutic intervention. ⋯ Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide plays a role in various affective behaviors, such as anxiety, depression, and cognition. There are no differences in learning, memory, and anxiety between Gpr160 KO mice and their age-matched and sex-matched control floxed mice. Results from these studies support the pronociceptive roles of CARTp/GPR160 and GPR160 as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Pain neuroscience education (PNE) has shown promising results in the management of patients with chronic spinal pain (CSP). However, no previous review has determined the optimal dose of PNE added to an exercise programme to achieve clinically relevant improvements. The aim was to determine the dose-response association between PNE added to an exercise programme and improvements in pain intensity and disability in patients with CSP. ⋯ In addition, a dose of 200 and 150 minutes of PNE added to an exercise programme was estimated to exceed the minimum clinically important difference described in the literature for pain intensity (-2.61 points, 95% CI = -3.12 to -2.10) and disability (-6.84 points, 95% CI = -7.98 to -5.70), respectively. The pooled effect of the isolated exercise was small. These findings may be useful in optimising the most appropriate PNE dose to achieve clinically relevant improvements in patients with CSP.
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The number of people immigrating from one country to another is increasing worldwide. Research has shown that immigration background is associated with chronic pain (CP) and pain disability in adults. However, research in this issue in children and adolescents has yielded inconsistent results. ⋯ Furthermore, the association between immigration background and CP was higher in children (OR = 6.92, p <.001) and younger adolescents (OR = 1.66, p <.05) than in older adolescents. Children and adolescents with an immigration background are at higher risk for having CP -especially younger children- and HICP. More resources should be allocated in the prevention of CP and HICP in children and adolescents with an immigration background.