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A new way to lose your nerve
1Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. aib@phy.ucsf.edu
Science of Aging Knowledge Environment : SAGE KE
|April 16, 2004
Summary
Peripheral nerve damage causes unexpected loss of sensation on the opposite side of the body in rats. This finding suggests potential bilateral changes in humans that may contribute to neuropathic pain conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Peripheral Nervous System
Background:
- Peripheral nerve damage leads to sensory loss in the affected area.
- Neuropathic pain conditions are linked to central nervous system reorganization after nerve injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if peripheral nerve damage on one side of the body affects innervation on the contralateral side.
- To explore the potential contribution of such bilateral changes to neuropathic pain.
Main Methods:
- Surgical transection of peripheral nerves in a rat model.
- Assessment of sensory innervation in both ipsilateral and contralateral body regions.
Main Results:
- Transection of a peripheral nerve on one side resulted in significant loss of innervation in the corresponding region on the opposite side of the body.
- Demonstrated a previously unrecognized bilateral effect of unilateral peripheral nerve injury.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral nerve injury can induce profound contralateral sensory loss.
- The study highlights the need to consider bilateral neural changes in patients with peripheral nerve damage and neuropathic pain.