Pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury: a review
10.3760/cma.j.cn501098-20240312-00207
- VernacularTitle:脊髓损伤后神经病理性疼痛的病理生理机制研究进展
- Author:
Zeqin LI
1
;
Maoyuan WANG
;
Yunzhu PAN
;
Feng GAO
;
Jiaming YANG
;
Hongyu CHU
Author Information
1. 赣南医科大学康复学院，赣州 341000
- Keywords:
Spinal cord injuries;
Neuralgia;
Neuropathic pain
- From:
Chinese Journal of Trauma
2024;40(10):938-946
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common complication following spinal cord injury, with an incidence rate ranging from 38% to 70%. NP typically presents as sensation of burning, electric shocks, tingling or squeezing pain resulting from somatosensory nerve damage, which exerts a negative impact on patients′ physical and psychological well-being. After spinal cord injury, glial cells are activated to induce inflammatory cascade. Accordingly, various inflammatory mediators that may disrupt the neuronal function are released to promote abnormally increased neuronal excitability and pain signal transduction. Additionally, spinal cord injury can disrupt the release of neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors, alter ion channel activity, and thereby impair the normal pain regulatory mechanisms and further increase pain perception. The interaction of these mechanisms contributes to the occurrence and persistence of NP after spinal cord injury. However, the precise pathogenesis of NP remains incompletely elucidated, making its therapeutic efficacy uncertain and clinical management difficult. It is of great significance to thoroughly understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of NP following spinal cord injury for its treatment. For this reason, the authors reviewed the research progress on the characteristics and pathophysiological mechanisms of NP following spinal cord injury, aiming to serve as a reference for further research and development of more effective targeted therapies and management strategies.
