title: Systemic adenosine infusion: a new treatment modality to alleviate neuropathic pain.
abstract: Adenosine, an endogenous antinociceptive compound acting in the central nervous system, was infused intravenously (50-70 micrograms/kg/min) to 2 patients with peripheral neuropathic pain. In 1 subject, spontaneous pain was alleviated, and tactile allodynia was essentially relieved during 40 min of infusion. Allodynia to warmth and touch were abolished in the other subject. In addition, hyperalgesia to pinprick was markedly attenuated as was pressure-induced allodynia. The reported effects lasted for hours after termination of the infusion. Our preliminary encouraging data call for further controlled studies of the potentially relieving effect of adenosine in painful neuropathic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Neurogenic Pain Unit, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Neurogenic Pain Unit, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Alf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sollevi
authors.forename: Måns
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belfrage
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lundeberg
authors.forename: Märta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Segerdahl
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hansson
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D000241:Adenosine