title: Effects of dothiepin on nociceptive flexion reflex and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls in humans.
abstract: The analgesic activity of dothiepin (an antidepressant interacting with serotonin receptors) was studied (double-blind) in humans. A significant increase in nociceptive flexion reflex threshold and subjective pain threshold was observed after a 14-day dothiepin treatment. The effects of dothiepin on diffuse noxious inhibitory controls were also investigated using the cold-pressor test as conditioning stimuli. After dothiepin a reduced inhibition of nociceptive flexion reflex during the cold-pressor test and a significant facilitation immediately after the cold-pressor test were observed, while the subjective pain perception was normally inhibited. Our data suggest a serotonergic modulation of diffuse noxious inhibitory controls in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology C. Mondino Foundation, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sandrini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capararo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Danilov
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beretta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nappi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004308:Dothiepin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004308:Dothiepin