Pain perception and endorphin levels in cerebrospinal fluid.
In 45 consecutive patients with chronic pain syndromes endorphins, fraction I of the cerebrospinal fluid and pain measures by means of electric stimulation via saline electrodes were investigated. In patients with high levels of fraction I (above median) pain threshold, PT and tolerance level, TL, in condition C (continuous stimulation increase) were found to be significantly higher than in patients with low levels of fraction I (below median). The results indicate that the endorphins are one of the physiological factors that contribute to the pain threshold and the tolerance level.
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004723:Endorphins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012737:Sex Factors
D004723:Endorphins