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Spinal Cord Stimulation: Neurophysiological and Neurochemical Mechanisms of Action

  • Neuropathic Pain (R Raja, Section editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Chronic neuropathic pain can significantly reduce quality of life and place an economic burden on individuals and society. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an alternative approach to the treatment of neuropathic pain when standard pharmacological agents have failed. However, an improved understanding of the mechanisms by which SCS inhibits pain is needed to enhance its clinical utility. This review summarizes important findings from recent studies of SCS in animal models of neuropathic pain, highlights current understanding of the spinal neurophysiological and neurochemical mechanisms by which SCS produces an analgesic effect, and discusses the potential clinical applicability of these findings and future directions for research.

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Acknowledgment

Dr. Yun Guan thanks Claire F. Levine, MS (Scientific Editor, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University) for editing the manuscript.

Disclosure

Dr. Yun Guan has received a research grant from Medtronic.

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  1. Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 351, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Yun Guan

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Guan, Y. Spinal Cord Stimulation: Neurophysiological and Neurochemical Mechanisms of Action. Curr Pain Headache Rep 16, 217–225 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0260-4

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