title: Neuropathic Pain Treatment: Still a Challenge.
abstract: Neuropathic pain (NP) is the result of a series of conditions caused by diseases or lesions to the somatosensory system. Due to the better understanding of NP pathophysiology previously unexplored therapies have been used with encouraging results. In this group, acetyl-L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic-acid, cannabinoids, clonidine, EMA401, botulinum toxin type A and new voltage-gated sodium channel blockers, can be included. Besides, changing paradigms may occur with the advent of optogenetics and a better understanding of epigenetic regulation. We reviewed the published literature on the pharmacological treatment of NP. Despite the interesting results, randomized controlled trials are demanded the majority of the therapies previously mentioned. In spite of several studies for the relief of NP, pain control continues being a challenge.
authors.affiliation: Neuropathic Pain Division, Neurology/Neuroscience Clinical Research SubUnit, Antonio Pedro University Hospital, Federal Fluminense University , Niterói, Brazil.
authors.forename: Osvaldo J M
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Neuropathic Pain Division, Neurology/Neuroscience Clinical Research SubUnit, Antonio Pedro University Hospital, Federal Fluminense University , Niterói, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Pessoa
authors.affiliation: Brain Mapping Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, IPUB, Rio de Janeiro; Department of Medicine, Severino Sombra University, Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orsini
authors.affiliation: Brain Mapping Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, IPUB, Rio de Janeiro; Department of Medicine, Severino Sombra University, Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Neuropathic Pain Division, Neurology/Neuroscience Clinical Research SubUnit, Antonio Pedro University Hospital, Federal Fluminense University , Niterói, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Davidovich
authors.affiliation: Neuropathic Pain Division, Neurology/Neuroscience Clinical Research SubUnit, Antonio Pedro University Hospital, Federal Fluminense University , Niterói, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pupe
authors.affiliation: Neuropathic Pain Division, Neurology/Neuroscience Clinical Research SubUnit, Antonio Pedro University Hospital, Federal Fluminense University , Niterói, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Moreira
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: Neuropathic Pain Division, Neurology/Neuroscience Clinical Research SubUnit, Antonio Pedro University Hospital, Federal Fluminense University , Niterói, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Menezes
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dornas
authors.affiliation: Neuropathic Pain Division, Neurology/Neuroscience Clinical Research SubUnit, Antonio Pedro University Hospital, Federal Fluminense University , Niterói, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Masiero
authors.affiliation: Brain Mapping Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, IPUB, Rio de Janeiro; Department of Medicine, Severino Sombra University, Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bittencourt
authors.affiliation: Piaui Federal University, Physical Therapy School , Brazil.
authors.forename: Victor Hugo
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Bastos
keywords: Neurology; pain; treatment