Publication
Title
Laser-evoked potentials as a tool for assessing the efficacy of antinociceptive drugs
Author
Abstract
Laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) are brain responses to laser radiant heat pulses and reflect the activation of Aδ nociceptors. LEPs are to date the reference standard technique for studying nociceptive pathway function in patients with neuropathic pain. To find out whether LEPs also provide a useful neurophysiological tool for assessing antinociceptive drug efficacy, in this double-blind placebo-controlled study we measured changes induced by the analgesic tramadol on LEPs in 12 healthy subjects. We found that tramadol decreased the amplitude of LEPs, whereas placebo left LEPs unchanged. The opioid antagonist naloxone partially reversed the tramadol-induced LEP amplitude decrease. We conclude that LEPs may be reliably used in clinical practice and research for assessing the efficacy of antinociceptive drugs.
Language
English
Source (journal)
European journal of pain. - London
Publication
London : 2010
ISSN
1090-3801
DOI
10.1016/J.EJPAIN.2009.05.001
Volume/pages
14 :2 (2010) , p. 222-225
ISI
000275117600019
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Project info
Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 31.10.2014
Last edited 04.03.2024
To cite this reference