Peripheral neuropathy pain: mechanisms and treatment.
Pain is a disabling symptom for many patients with peripheral neuropathy. The mechanisms responsible for neuropathic pain are not fully understood. Theories include ectopic discharges of damaged fibers and dorsal root ganglia, sensitization of nociceptors, central sensitization of dorsal horn neurons, loss of inhibitory neurons, and sprouting of afferent fibers after nerve injury into new regions of the nervous system. Several drugs have been effective in controlled clinical trials, but not all patients respond or tolerate the available agents.
Brannagan
Thomas H
TH
From the Peripheral Neuropathy Center, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY.