Articles: neuralgia.
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Behavioural pharmacology · Oct 2015
Mice undergoing neuropathic pain induce anxiogenic-like effects and hypernociception in cagemates.
Rodents can recognize pain-related responses in conspecifics. Therefore, cohabitation with a conspecific animal with chronic pain can potentially promote a stressful situation, which can trigger behavioral changes such as anxiety and depression and alter nociceptive responses. In this study we investigated the effect of cohabitation with a mouse undergoing sciatic nerve constriction (neuropathic pain model). ⋯ After 14 days, the cagemates were evaluated using behavioral tests. Social interaction with a conspecific undergoing constriction of the sciatic nerve induced hypernociception and increased anxiety-related responses, whereas in depression tests inconclusive responses and no changes in corticosterone levels were found. In conclusion, cohabitation with suffering conspecifics induces changes in nociceptive responses, as well as in affective responses including anxiety.
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This article, without presuming to be comprehensive, gives a brief outline of the development of research on neuropathic pain in Germany. Current clinical research on this subject focusses on the validation of human models, patient phenotyping, mechanism-based classification and treatment as well as on molecular pathomechanisms. ⋯ In parallel, basic research achieved international top levels through the development of innovative methods. Close cooperation, building of consortia and European networking made major contributions to the success of this research.
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Review Meta Analysis
Quantitative meta-analysis of grey matter anomalies in neuropathic pain.
Increasing neuroimaging studies have revealed grey matter (GM) anomalies of several brain regions by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies in patients with neuropathic pain. The changes have been suggested to be related to central sensitization. Our aim was to investigate concurrence across VBM studies to identify whether different subtypes of neuropathic pain share a common pathophysiological basis revealed by structural abnormalities. ⋯ This meta-analysis shows strong evidence of brain GM anomalies within the pain matrix in patients with neuropathic pain compared with healthy subjects. Further studies are needed to determine whether the reported changes are specific to neuropathic pain or whether they may be common to other chronic pain.