Abnormal neuronal mechanisms underlying chronic neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia will be explored in patients, making use of a novel array of rigorous neurophysiological techniques now available for human studies and in use in our laboratory. Results from the proposed experiments are expected to improve the scientific foundation for diagnosis and management of these patients, many of whom presently undergo ill conceived clinical investigation or receive ineffectual treatment. The experimental plan will test the following hypotheses: 1. Activity in abnormally sensitive (or ephaptically excited) primary nociceptors underlies spontaneous pain and hyperalgesia. 2. Activity in low-threshold myelinated mechanoreceptors excites abnormally sensitive spinal neurons to cause the spontaneous pain and hyperalgesia. 3. Sympathetic efferent activity, through excitation of low-threshold primary mechanoreceptors or sensitized nociceptors, triggers the abnormal mechanisms responsible for spontaneous pain and hyperalgesia. These scientifically based hypotheses are now amenable to direct testing in patients, eliminating the necessity of extrapolating results from animal research. Consenting patients, personally examined and preselected through our Neurosensory Unit, will undergo quantitative sensory testing and microneurography before and during introduction of controlled experimental variables intended to: a) selectively activate, naturally or electrically, subpopulations of primary sensory units; b) selectively block, mechanically or pharmacologically, subpopulations of primary afferent fibers; c) selectively excite or depress, reflexly, subpopulations of sympathetic efferent neurons; d) block pharmacologically the whole or part of the sympathetic outflow. Results emerging from our preliminary studies promise significant yield from this research at both basic scientific and applied levels.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NS024766-01
Application #
3409649
Study Section
Communication Sciences and Disorders (CMS)
Project Start
1987-04-01
Project End
1992-03-31
Budget Start
1987-04-01
Budget End
1988-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Good Samaritan Hosp & Medical Center(Prtlnd,OR)
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97210
Ochoa, J L; Verdugo, R J (1995) Reflex sympathetic dystrophy. A common clinical avenue for somatoform expression. Neurol Clin 13:351-63
Verdugo, R J; Ochoa, J L (1994) 'Sympathetically maintained pain.' I. Phentolamine block questions the concept. Neurology 44:1003-10
Verdugo, R J; Campero, M; Ochoa, J L (1994) Phentolamine sympathetic block in painful polyneuropathies. II. Further questioning of the concept of 'sympathetically maintained pain'. Neurology 44:1010-4
Ochoa, J L; Yarnitsky, D (1994) The triple cold syndrome. Cold hyperalgesia, cold hypoaesthesia and cold skin in peripheral nerve disease. Brain 117 ( Pt 1):185-97
Campero, M; Verdugo, R J; Ochoa, J L (1993) Vasomotor innervation of the skin of the hand: a contribution to the study of human anatomy. J Anat 182 ( Pt 3):361-8
Ochoa, J L; Yarnitsky, D (1993) Mechanical hyperalgesias in neuropathic pain patients: dynamic and static subtypes. Ann Neurol 33:465-72
Verdugo, R; Ochoa, J L (1992) Quantitative somatosensory thermotest. A key method for functional evaluation of small calibre afferent channels. Brain 115 ( Pt 3):893-913
Yarnitsky, D; Ochoa, J L (1991) Differential effect of compression-ischaemia block on warm sensation and heat-induced pain. Brain 114 ( Pt 2):907-13
Simone, D A; Ochoa, J (1991) Early and late effects of prolonged topical capsaicin on cutaneous sensibility and neurogenic vasodilatation in humans. Pain 47:285-94
Yarnitsky, D; Ochoa, J L (1991) The sign of Tinel can be mediated either by myelinated or unmyelinated primary afferents. Muscle Nerve 14:379-80

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