Article
Anesthesiology
Andrew S. C. Rice, Robert H. Dworkin, Nanna B. Finnerup, Nadine Attal, Praveen Anand, Roy Freeman, Alessandro Piaia, Francesca Callegari, Christie Doerr, Subhayan Mondal, Nisha Narayanan, Laurent Ecochard, Yanina Flossbach, Shaloo Pandhi
Summary: The analgesic efficacy and safety of EMA401 in patients with postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic neuropathy were assessed in two phase 2b studies, showing consistent clinical improvement in pain intensity reduction. However, premature termination of the studies prevented definitive conclusions from being drawn.
Article
Anesthesiology
Michael Fetell, Manon Sendel, Thomas Li, Leslie Marinelli, Jan Vollert, Elizaeth Ruggerio, George Houk, Marilyn Dockum, Phillip J. Albrecht, Frank L. Rice, Ralf Baron
Summary: Skin biopsies from patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) showed no correlation between nerve fiber density and baseline pain, and concurrent loss of nerve fibers on the affected side was common. The role of Nav1.7 in PHN pain is still unclear.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Guangda Zheng, Juanxia Ren, Lu Shang, Yanju Bao
Summary: Pain is a common clinical symptom caused by nerve injury, tissue damage, or diseases. It affects daily physical function and quality of life, resulting in physiological and psychological torture. The underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of pain are not fully understood, making pain management challenging. Autophagy, an intracellular process, plays a vital role in maintaining neural function and has been linked to neuropathic pain. Traditional Chinese medicine monomers have also been found to involve autophagy in pain relief, suggesting autophagy as a potential target for pain management.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Kyung Ah Han, Yong-Ho Lee, Hyun-Shik Son, Ki-Ho Song, Sang Yong Kim, Choon Hee Chung, Hak Chul Jang, Kwan-Woo Lee, Bong Yun Cha, Kee-Ho Song, Young Kwon Ko, Pyung-Bok Lee, Beom Joon Kim, Sohee Kim, Taewon An, Yong-Chul Kim
Summary: This study demonstrates that a new sustained-release pregabalin formulation is noninferior to immediate-release pregabalin in reducing peripheral neuropathic pain in Korean patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia. The new formulation is well-tolerated after 12 weeks of treatment.
CLINICAL JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milena Sleczkowska, Rowida Almomani, Margherita Marchi, Bianca T. A. de Greef, Maurice Sopacua, Janneke G. J. Hoeijmakers, Patrick Lindsey, Erika Salvi, Gidon J. Boenhof, Dan Ziegler, Rayaz A. Malik, Stephen G. Waxman, Giuseppe Lauria, Catharina G. Faber, Hubert J. M. Smeets, Monique M. Gerrits
Summary: Neuropathic pain is common in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DN), and it may be caused by pathogenic ion channel gene variants. Variants in ion channel genes were found in DN patients with and without pain, suggesting their role in pain generation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Emily Pickering, Elizabeth L. Steels, Kathryn J. Steadman, Amanda Rao, Luis Vitetta
Summary: This study demonstrated that a palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) formulation can reduce diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and inflammation, while improving mood and sleep. Further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of PEA as an adjunct medicine or monotherapy pain analgesic.
INFLAMMOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jackie Elliott, Gordon Sloan, Lynda Stevens, Dinesh Selvarajah, Giorgio Cruccu, Rajiv A. Gandhi, Peter Kempler, John H. Fuller, Nishi Chaturvedi, Solomon Tesfaye
Summary: This study analyzed the EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study data to investigate the incidence and risk factors of painful DPN. It found that female sex was a risk factor for painful DPN and there was less evidence of diabetic nephropathy in painful DPN cases.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Xuan Wang, Qian Li, Xu Han, Meirong Gong, Zhi Yu, Bin Xu
Summary: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes related to the increase of AGEs in a hyperglycemia environment. EA improves neurological hyperalgesia, decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduces AGEs and RAGE, and regulates the glyoxalase system in treating T2DM-induced DPN.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Daniel B. Lowy, Preet G. S. Makker, Gila Moalem-Taylor
Summary: Bidirectional interaction between the peripheral immune and nervous systems plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and responding to noxious stimuli. The skin is a highly complex biological structure where sensory nerve terminals and immune cells coexist. Sensory neurons regulate cutaneous immune responses through neuropeptides, while immune cells modulate sensory neurons through mediators.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Paola Pacifico, James S. Coy-Dibley, Richard J. Miller, Daniela M. Menichella
Summary: This article reviews new approaches for treating peripheral neuropathic pain, including disease modifying therapies and advanced techniques for uncovering novel mechanisms. It also highlights the potential of drug treatment applied topically and the role of non-neuronal cells and communication between the skin and sensory afferents. Lastly, it discusses the current challenges in developing new therapies and improving the translation of research findings from animal models to the clinic.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lu Chen, Ailing Qing, Tao Zhu, Pingliang Yang, Ling Ye
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for postherpetic neuralgia. The results showed that ESWT combined with conventional treatment could relieve pain and improve the psychological state in patients without serious adverse effects.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Economics
Amelia Smith, Stephen Doran, Maria Daly, Cormac Kennedy, Michael Barry
Summary: The introduction of a reimbursement application system significantly reduced the dispensing rate of Versatis(R), mainly through reducing expenditure under the GMS scheme. It is recommended to restrict the prescription of Versatis(R) to patients with PHN to ensure evidence-based use of the medication.
APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Alberto Corriero, Mariateresa Giglio, Francesco Inchingolo, Antonio Moschetta, Giustino Varrassi, Filomena Puntillo
Summary: This literature review investigates the role of modulating the gut microbiota (GM) in the treatment of neuropathic pain (NP). The interaction between the nervous system and GM occurs through immune mediators, metabolites, and nervous structures. The review explores therapeutic approaches such as probiotics, faecal microbiota transplantation, dietary supplements, and emotional support for various types of NP.
Review
Neurosciences
Ahish Chitneni, Adam Rupp, Joe Ghorayeb, Alaa Abd-Elsayed
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the utility of fMRI in detecting DPN. By observing changes in central nervous system activity between DPN patients and controls, fMRI can detect increased activity in central neuroanatomical structures that positively correlates with diabetic neuropathic pain.
Article
Anesthesiology
Ines Ferreira Vieira, Alfredo Mendes de Castro, Maria do Ceu Loureiro, Joana Pinto, Cristina Cardoso, Jose Pedro Assuncao
Summary: The capsaicin 8% patch is an effective option for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain, providing significant relief in pain intensity and painful area. It is well tolerated and has a high treatment compliance.