| Theme |
Pain Management in Gastrointestinal Cancer |
| Title |
Pathophysiology of Pain and Topical Analgesics for Neuropathic Pain |
| Author |
Minoru Narita |
Department of Toxicology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Author |
Daigo Ikegami |
Department of Toxicology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Author |
Masami Suzuki |
Department of Toxicology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Author |
Tsutomu Suzuki |
Department of Toxicology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| [ Summary ] |
Neuropathic pain, which is characterized by spontaneous burning pain, hyperalgesia (exaggerated pain in response to painful stimuli) and allodynia (pain caused by normally innocuous stimuli), is the most difficult pain to manage in pain clinics. This chapter gives an overview of the peripheral or central components of the pain system, with a focus on modulatory mechanisms in primary afferent and dorsal horn neurons. Furthermore, this review provides the concept of the relationship between symptom and drug action and the specific therapeutic strategies. We summarize the mechanisms underlying the analgesic effect on neuropathic pain induced by anti-depressants, anticonvulsants, anti-inflammatory agents and opioids. |