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Placebo and nocebo effects can influence somatic symptoms such as pain. For itch and other dermatological symptoms these effects have been far less investigated. This review systematically integrates evidence from both animal (mainly rodents) and human trials on placebo and nocebo effects in itch, itch-related symptoms and conditions of the skin and mucous membranes, and related immune outcomes (e.g., histamine). Thirty-one animal studies, and fifty-five human studies (k = 21 healthy participants, k = 34 patients) were included. Overall, studies consistently show that placebo and nocebo effects can be induced by various methods (e.g., suggestions, conditioning and social cues), despite high heterogeneity across studies. Effects of suggestions were found consistently across subjective and behavioral parameters (e.g., itch and scratching in humans), whereas conditioning was likely to impact physiological parameters under certain conditions (e.g., conditioning of histamine levels in stressed rodents). Brain areas responsible for itch processing were associated with nocebo effects. Future research may investigate how variations in methods impact placebo and nocebo effects, and whether all symptoms and conditions can be influenced equally.
Learn More >Patients undergoing cancer treatment often experience chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain at their extremities, for which there is no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drug. The authors hypothesized that local sympathetic blockade, which is used in the clinic to treat various pain conditions, can also be effective to treat chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.
Learn More >The objective of this prospective cohort study is to evaluate the efficacy of multiple cranial nerve blocks (MCNBs) as a preventative therapy for chronic migraine.
Learn More >The plasma membrane adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release channel pannexin 1 (PANX1) has been implicated in many physiological and pathophysiological processes associated with purinergic signaling, including cancer progression, apoptotic cell clearance, inflammation, blood pressure regulation, oocyte development, epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Here we present near-atomic-resolution structures of human and frog PANX1 determined by cryo-electron microscopy that revealed a heptameric channel architecture. Compatible with ATP permeation, the transmembrane pore and cytoplasmic vestibule were exceptionally wide. An extracellular tryptophan ring located at the outer pore created a constriction site, potentially functioning as a molecular sieve that restricts the size of permeable substrates. The amino and carboxyl termini, not resolved in the density map, appeared to be structurally dynamic and might contribute to narrowing of the pore during channel gating. In combination with functional characterization, this work elucidates the previously unknown architecture of pannexin channels and establishes a foundation for understanding their unique channel properties.
Learn More >Task-free imaging approaches using PET have shown the posterior hypothalamus to be specifically activated during but not outside cluster headache attacks. Evidence from task related functional imaging approaches however is scarce.
Learn More >The objective of this study was to characterize the prevalence and risk of pain, pain interference, and recurrent pain in adult survivors of childhood cancer in comparison with siblings.
Learn More >The monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or its receptor are new antimigraine drugs from which many patients already benefit. Very few side effects have been reported from the antibody trials, including very few gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. The current data derive from a double-blind cross-over study of CGRP infusion for 2 hours. We present the GI side effects of the infusion and raise the question if underreporting of GI symptoms in CGRP antibody trials has occurred. We also discuss why constipation may be more likely with CGRP receptor blockade than with CGRP neutralizing antibodies.
Learn More >To outline strategies for the treatment of migraine which do not require in-person visits to clinic or the emergency department, and to describe ways that health insurance companies can remove barriers to quality care for migraine.
Learn More >This journal recently published a paper by Sharpe et al., entitled "Necessary components of psychological treatments in chronic pain management programs: A Delphi study" (Sharpe, Jones, Ashton-James, Nicholas, & Refshauge, 2020). These researcher sought the views of authors of relevant RCTs published up to September 2016 and supplemented these with input from psychologists working in pain management programs in Australia.
Learn More >Placebo analgesia studies generally reported that the actual use of a placebo analgesic reduces pain. Yeung VW, Geers A, Kam SM. Merely possessing a placebo analgesic reduced pain intensity: Preliminary findings from a randomized design. Curr Psychol. 2019;38(1):194-203 found that the mere possession (without use) of a placebo analgesic also reduces pain.
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