Functional and metabolic changes in the brain in neuropathic pain syndrome against the background of chronic epidural electrostimulation of the spinal cord

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2014 Aug;157(4):462-5. doi: 10.1007/s10517-014-2591-0. Epub 2014 Aug 12.

Abstract

Changes in functional and metabolic activities of the brain were evaluated by EEG and positron-emission/computer tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in patients with neuropathic pain syndrome previous to and 3 months after implantation of a system for chronic epidural spinal cord stimulation. In most cases, the use of a nerve stimulator was followed by alleviation of neuropathic pain and partial normalization of functional and metabolic activities of brain structures responsible for pain perception, emotiogenic, behavioral, and autonomic responses.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Implantable Neurostimulators*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuralgia / metabolism
  • Neuralgia / physiopathology
  • Neuralgia / surgery
  • Neuralgia / therapy*
  • Nociception
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord / surgery
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation / instrumentation
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation / methods*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18