Definition of neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain refers severe chronic pain, that originates from pathology of the nervous system, following imminent or actual damage to nerve tissue
This process assists wound repair because any contact with the damaged part is avoided until healing has occurred
Mechanism of neuropathic pain
Advances in discovery of the mechanism of neuropathic pain has become clear by use of animal models, by placement of loose chromic ligatures on the sciatic nerve in rat brought, that brought about behaviour that appeared analogous to human neuropathic pain conditions (Bennett and Xie, 1988).
The pathological mechanism behind neuropathic pain is thought to be spontaneous activity in damaged sensory neurones. Chahine et al (2005) found that the release of hyperalgesic pro-inflammatory agents can result in changes in either expression or inappropriate regulation of sensory Nav channels, suggesting that Nav channels have an important rcontribution to neuropathic pain
Central neuropathic pain
Experienced as a symptom of CNS disorders such as stroke and multiple sclerosis.
Peripheral neuropathic pain
Experienced as a symptom of disorders associated with peripheral nerve damage such as mechanical injury, diabetic neuropathy,
Discovered in 1973, confined to nervous tissue (Pert and Synder 1973)
Areas of neuronal membrane which opiods bind to resulting in inhibition of the cell. Opiods refers to a substance that produces morphine like effects
Four distinct types
(Why targeting particular gpcr would be affective)
Opiods excite neurons in the periagueductal gray-gate control theory
Opioid peptides mediate descending inhibitory system
(Data from literature that either supports your case for the new approach or argues against it)
Efficacy of opiods can be regulated by compounds such as neuropeptide cholecystokinin (CCK).
