Articles: neuralgia.
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Projections from the periaqueductal gray (PAG) to the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) are known to engage in descending pain modulation, but how the neural substrates of the PAG-RVM projections contribute to neuropathic pain remains largely unknown. In this study, we showed somatostatin-expressing glutamatergic neurons in the lateral/ventrolateral PAG that facilitate mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. We found that these neurons form direct excitatory connections with neurons in the RVM region. ⋯ Thus, our findings revealed that somatostatin neurons within the PAG-RVM axial are crucial for descending pain facilitation and can potentially be exploited as a useful therapeutic target for neuropathic pain. PERSPECTIVE: We report the profound contribution of somatostatin neurons within the PAG-RVM projections to descending pain facilitation underlying neuropathic pain. These results may help to develop central therapeutic strategies for neuropathic pain.
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Psychological stressors may cause mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorders and fibromyalgia (FM) patients could be affected by these stressors. ⋯ Anxiety and widespread pain levels were higher in patients with FM and recovering from COVID-19 infection.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of Duloxetine in Patients with Central Post-Stroke Pain: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Trial.
Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) refers to neuropathic pain in areas of the body corresponding to stroke lesions. Duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is safe and effective against neuropathic pain. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, we studied the effect of duloxetine in CPSP patients. ⋯ Duloxetine can be an effective treatment option for patients with moderate to severe central post-stroke pain.