Category Archives: Pathophysiology

Increased Connection Of Medial Prefrontal Cortex to Nucleus Accumbens(pleasure center) Predicts Chronic Pain

Posted on October 14, 2013 by admin

Saw recent talk by Dr. Apkarian where he noted overactivity of nucleus accumbens (pleasure center) in chronic pain – he called it “addicted to pain” (no relation to painkillers). Now this appears to be driven by increased white matter circuitry from … Continue reading →

Posted in Insurer issues, pain mechanisms, Pathophysiology | Leave a comment

Burn Pain – Limited in Animals by IV Minocycline

Posted on August 23, 2010 by admin

Minocycline is an IV tetracycline antibiotic known to inhibit glial cell changes at spinal cord level post injury and hence reduce post-injury nerve pain. In the rat model it reduces post burn pains.

Posted in neuropathic, pain mechanisms, Pathophysiology, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Angiogenesis (new blood vessel growth) the root of all pain?

Posted on September 21, 2008 by admin

Angiogensis and its accompanying nerves are evident in disc disease with the formation of neurovascular growth in the High Intensity Zone facing the spinal cord. Similarly, I have written how chronic tendonitis is associated with neurovascular growth. Now it appears … Continue reading →

Posted in Pathophysiology | 1 Comment

Neuropathic Pain More Spinal and there are potentially better treatments

Posted on September 20, 2008 by admin

Recent Japanese article hilights spinal sensitization in neuropathic pain suggesting lidocaine and ketamine maybe should play bigger role

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Microglia Key to Neuropathic Pain

Posted on May 11, 2008 by admin

While much is written about gimped NMDA receptors in chronic pain, the innocuous support tissues in the spinal cord, the “glial cells”, turn out to be a big player. An inhibitor of these cells, clopidogrel – known as Plavix – … Continue reading →

Posted in neuropathic, Pathophysiology | 2 Comments

Estrogenic Effects on Pain Blocked by ACE Inhibitors?

Posted on April 6, 2008 by admin

Quoted article starts by saying: “Many painful conditions occur more frequently in women, and estrogen is a predisposing factor. Estrogen may contribute to some pain syndromes by enhancing axon outgrowth by sensory dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons.” This effect may … Continue reading →

Posted in Drugs, Pathophysiology | Leave a comment

Is Asthma a form of Pain?

Posted on December 2, 2007 by admin

Carbamazepine and Valproic acid have been found to be effective in bronchial asthma begging the question whether asthma involves neurological mechanisms similar to migraines or Trigeminal Neuralgia

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NMDA receptors are king

Posted on October 6, 2007 by admin

NMDA receptors play a vital role in memory NMDA dysfunction is of course key to chronic pain, though there are non-NMDA pathways though the thalamus in mice…. NMDA blockage 2 days in a row with ketamine will cause temporary remission … Continue reading →

Posted in Pathophysiology | 2 Comments

CARP Conference Slides

Posted on June 22, 2007 by admin

Presentation at Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals June 2007. Summation (version 1) here: Power points are here. 1) Disc disease(especially chronic) can often not be imaged and the worst chronic cases just show disc bulges. Disc disease and sciatica is … Continue reading →

Posted in Insurer issues, Pathophysiology | 5 Comments

Does Abrupt Estrogen Withdrawal trigger Pain?

Posted on December 11, 2006 by admin

Does sudden withdrawal of Estrogen cause a “aromatase inhibitor pain syndrome” leading to increased musculoskeletal pain? One author thinks so.

Posted in Drugs, Pathophysiology | 3 Comments

Chronic cough might be sensory neuropathy

Posted on September 11, 2006 by admin

Ever have a patient with a chronic cough unresponsive to anti-reflux, allergic rhinitis, and asthma treatment? Sensory Neuropathy might be the problem and Amitriptyline the answer.

Posted in Pathophysiology | 35 Comments

Does Pain “Grow” at Tendon injury sites? -and Treatment tennis elbow

Posted on September 10, 2006 by admin

Studies on Achilles, Patellar and Lateral epicondylar (tennis elbow)tendonitis have demonstrated the ultrasound demonstrable appearance of a “vasculo-neural growth” that corresponds to the site of pain. In long-term resistant cases, treating these lesions with sclerosing agent, polidocanol, under ultrasound guidance; … Continue reading →

Posted in Pathophysiology, tendonitis | 12 Comments

Sodium Channel effects in Fentanyl vs Morphine

Posted on September 6, 2006 by admin

Sodiums channels are important in central and peripheral neuropathic pains. Morphine has no effect but Fentanyl (in Duragesic), Tramadol (in Tramacet), and Sufentanil (10 more potent fentanyl) do. This highlights there is a rationale for switching to a different opioid.

Posted in Drugs, Pathophysiology | 1 Comment

Meditation Reduces Pain’s Thalamic Firing