Articles: cations.
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Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain that entails severe prolonged sensory dysfunctions caused by a lesion of the somatosensory system. Many of those suffering from the condition do not experience significant improvement with existing medications, resulting in various side effects. In this study, Sprague-Dawley male rats were used, and long-term deep brain stimulation of the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray was conducted in a rat model of spared nerve injury. ⋯ At the spinal level, glial cells were still activated but only the 5-HT1a receptor in the spinal cord was activated, implying its inhibitory role in mechanical allodynia. This study found that peripheral neuropathy caused dysfunction in the descending serotonergic system, and prolonged stimulation of ventrolateral periaqueductal gray can modulate the pathway in an efficient manner. This work would provide new opportunities for the development of targeted and effective treatments for this debilitating disease, possibly giving us lower chances of side effects from repeated high-frequency stimulation or long-term use of medication.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 2024
To the Brain and Beyond: Neurological Implications of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have emerged as an increasingly popular class of medications commonly used for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and for weight loss. GLP-1 RAs also have potential benefits in patients with various neurological diseases independent of their glucose-modulating effect. In this focused review, we explore animal and clinical evidence evaluating the impact of GLP-1 RAs in common neurological diseases. Our aim is to provide a basis for hypothesis generation for future studies to assess the role that GLP-1 RAs may have on the nervous system, including implications for the perioperative period.