[Brain somatosensory evoked potentials in myofascial pain syndromes]

Brain somatosensory evoked potentials were studied in 113 patients with chronic myofascial pains. Comparing to milder pain, pronounced pain syndrome revealed more significant functional changes (generators for pathologically enhanced excitability), on higher levels of nervous system. At the same time, in milder pain, a large quantity of low activity generators were detected that may indicate subnormal antinociceptive system activity. After treatment, the number of generators of pathologically enhanced excitation decreased significantly with migration to caudal nerve system regions. These changes may be a neurophysiological basis for myofascial pain exacerbations.