title: Enhanced recovery of human spinothalamic function is associated with central neuropathic pain after SCI.
abstract: Spinothalamic tract (STT) dysfunction seems to be crucially involved in the development of central neuropathic pain (NP) after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, previous attempts to identify differences in the extent or location of STT damage between subjects with and without NP failed. Here we show that the spontaneous recovery of human STT function (within the first year after SCI) in subjects suffering NP is enhanced compared to those not affected. Furthermore, the correlation between current pain intensity (assessed on average 5 years after SCI) and extent of functional recovery substantiates the close relationship between recovery of STT function and the occurrence of NP. These findings contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms involved in the generation of NP after SCI.
authors.affiliation: Spinal Cord Injury Centre, University Hospital Balgrist, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Annegret R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hari
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wydenkeller
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dokladal
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Halder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013133:Spinothalamic Tracts / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult