Postherpetic neuralgia: from preclinical models to the clinic.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a common complication of herpes zoster, which results from reactivation of varicella zoster virus, is a challenging neuropathic pain syndrome. The incidence and severity of herpes zoster and PHN increases with immune impairment or age and may become a greater burden both in terms of health economics and individual suffering. A clearer understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this disease and translation of preclinical outcomes to the clinic may lead to more efficacious treatment options. Here we give an overview of recent findings from preclinical models and clinical research on PHN.
Centre for Neuroregeneration, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Ada
A
Delaney
Lesley A
LA
Colvin
Marie T
MT
Fallon
Robert G
RG
Dalziel
Rory
R
Mitchell
Susan M
SM
Fleetwood-Walker
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*