Articles: neuralgia.
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Case Reports
Effect of Bilateral Anterior Cingulotomy on Chronic Neuropathic Pain with Severe Depression.
The presence of neuropathic pain can severely impinge on emotional regulation and activities of daily living including social activities, resulting in diminished life satisfaction. Unfortunately, the majority of patients with neuropathic pain do not experience an amelioration of symptoms from conventional therapies, even when multimodal therapies are used. Chronic refractory neuropathic pain is usually accompanied by severe depression that is prone to incur suicidal events; thus clinical management of chronic neuropathic pain and depression presents a serious challenge for clinicians and patients. ⋯ Bilateral anterior cingulotomy may serve as an alternative treatment for medically refractory neuropathic pain, especially for patients who also experience depression.
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Review
The Etiological Contribution of GABAergic Plasticity to the Pathogenesis of Neuropathic Pain.
Neuropathic pain developing after peripheral or central nerve injury is the result of pathological changes generated through complex mechanisms. Disruption in the homeostasis of excitatory and inhibitory neurons within the central nervous system is a crucial factor in the formation of hyperalgesia or allodynia occurring with neuropathic pain. The central GABAergic pathway has received attention for its extensive distribution and function in neural circuits, including the generation and development of neuropathic pain. ⋯ In this review, we describe possible mechanisms associated with GABAergic plasticity, such as central sensitization and GABAergic interneuron apoptosis, and the epigenetic etiologies of GABAergic plasticity in neuropathic pain. Moreover, we summarize potential therapeutic targets of GABAergic plasticity that may allow for successful relief of hyperalgesia from nerve injury. Finally, we compare the effects of the GABAergic system in neuropathic pain to other types of chronic pain to understand the contribution of GABAergic plasticity to neuropathic pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Gabapentin versus Transdermal Fentanyl Matrix for the Alleviation of Chronic Neuropathic Pain of Radicular Origin: A Randomized Blind Multicentered Parallel-Group Noninferiority Trial.
A number of studies have been published proposing various approaches to the treatment of neuropathic pain; however, to our knowledge, no attempts have been made to compare gabapentin and fentanyl in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. We evaluated the relative efficacy and safety of fentanyl matrix and gabapentin for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain of radicular origin. The study was designed as a randomized blind multicentered parallel-group noninferiority trial. ⋯ The most commonly reported AEs for patients treated with fentanyl matrix and gabapentin included dizziness (30.8% vs. 44.6%, respectively), somnolence (26.9% vs. 35.7%), and constipation (15.4% vs. 17.9%). This study demonstrated that the analgesic effect of fentanyl matrix is noninferior in comparison with gabapentin and supports the use of fentanyl matrix as an effective and safe treatment for moderate-to-severe chronic neuropathic pain. This trial is registered with NCT01127100.