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Neurological diseases and pain.
1MD Center for Pain and the Brain C/O Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital Belmont, MA 02478, USA. dborsook@partners.org
Brain : a Journal of Neurology
|November 10, 2011
Summary
Chronic pain is a brain disease impacting neurological disorders, often stemming from central nervous system changes. Developing objective pain measures and enhancing neurologist training are crucial for better treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Chronic pain affects 20-40% of patients with neurological disorders.
- Pain mechanisms involve central nervous system (CNS) maladaptive responses, altering brain function.
- Neurological pain is complex, often lacking objective measures, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review chronic pain in neurological diseases.
- To discuss brain-targeted therapies for neurological pain.
- To highlight the need for objective pain assessment tools.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of chronic pain in neurological disorders.
- Analysis of pain processing and centralization mechanisms.
- Discussion of therapeutic strategies and diagnostic challenges.
Main Results:
- Chronic pain in neurological disorders involves CNS alterations and maladaptive plasticity.
- Existing subjective pain evaluations are insufficient, especially in non-communicative patients.
- Brain-targeted therapies show therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- Chronic pain should be viewed as a brain disease requiring neurological expertise.
- Enhanced neurologist training in pain management is essential.
- Development of objective pain measures is critical for advancing treatment.
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