title: R3 nociceptive reflex in multiple sclerosis patients with paroxysmal symptoms treated with gabapentin.
abstract: Gabapentin (GBP) is a new, well-tolerated antiepileptic drug found to be effective for painful paroxysmal symptoms (PS) in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to obtain a neurophysiological evaluation of the effects of GBP on the nociceptive system of MS patients suffering PS. We studied 10 MS patients, 6 males, 4 females (mean age 47.3 years), suffering PS (3 had trigeminal neuralgia, 1 painful tonic spasms and 6 dysesthetic or paresthetic symptoms). Three patients were, at the same time, also being treated with carbamazepine. Pain was evaluated by means of the Visual Faces Scale. R3 nociceptive reflex was recorded after 2 weeks' treatment. R3 thresholds and latencies were evaluated and a statistical analysis was performed. A significant variation was found in R3 thresholds between the values recorded before and during GBP treatment; no significant variation was observed in R3 latencies.
authors.affiliation: Study and Treatment Centre for Long-Stay Neurological Patients, Chair of Neurophysiopathology, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Aleo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rifici
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sessa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Bella
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bramanti
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001767:Blinking / Q000187:drug effects*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D009802:Oculomotor Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin