Abstract
Neuropathic pain is characterised by both positive (hyperalgesia and allodynia) and negative (sensory deficits) symptoms and remains intractable to many commonly used analgesics. Antiepileptics are increasingly utilised in the treatment of neuropathic pain. This class of drugs works via three major mechanisms of action in order to dampen neuronal hyperexcitability within the central nervous system: potentiation of GABA transmission, reduction of glutamatemediated excitatory transmission, and block of voltage-activated ion channels. The latter mechanism of action in particular, is exemplified by the success of the newer generation of antiepileptics such as lamotrigine and gabapentin in the clinical treatment of neuropathic pain symptoms. In the current review article, we will examine in detail, the antinociceptive effects of a diverse range of antiepileptics as tested in animal models of nerve injury. Where appropriate, we will compare these findings with their analgesic efficacy in the clinical treatment of neuropathic pain.
Keywords: allodynia, anticonvulsant, hyperalgesia, gaba, glutamate, kcnq, na channel, nerve injury
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Antiepileptics and the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: Evidence from Animal Models
Volume: 11 Issue: 23
Author(s): G. Blackburn-Munro and H. K. Erichsen
Affiliation:
Keywords: allodynia, anticonvulsant, hyperalgesia, gaba, glutamate, kcnq, na channel, nerve injury
Abstract: Neuropathic pain is characterised by both positive (hyperalgesia and allodynia) and negative (sensory deficits) symptoms and remains intractable to many commonly used analgesics. Antiepileptics are increasingly utilised in the treatment of neuropathic pain. This class of drugs works via three major mechanisms of action in order to dampen neuronal hyperexcitability within the central nervous system: potentiation of GABA transmission, reduction of glutamatemediated excitatory transmission, and block of voltage-activated ion channels. The latter mechanism of action in particular, is exemplified by the success of the newer generation of antiepileptics such as lamotrigine and gabapentin in the clinical treatment of neuropathic pain symptoms. In the current review article, we will examine in detail, the antinociceptive effects of a diverse range of antiepileptics as tested in animal models of nerve injury. Where appropriate, we will compare these findings with their analgesic efficacy in the clinical treatment of neuropathic pain.
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Cite this article as:
Blackburn-Munro G. and Erichsen K. H., Antiepileptics and the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: Evidence from Animal Models, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2005; 11 (23) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612054865000
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612054865000 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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