Treatment-related changes in brain activation in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Little is known about the effects of successful treatment on brain function in chronic pain. This study examined changes in pain-evoked brain activation following behavioral extinction training in fibromyalgia patients. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, brain activation to painful mechanical stimuli applied to the 2nd phalanx of the left 2nd digit (m.

Differential central pain processing following repetitive intramuscular proton/prostaglandin E₂ injections in female fibromyalgia patients and healthy controls.

Background: While the etiology of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) remains unclear, it is assumed that both peripheral and central components are involved.

Aims/methods: To investigate central activation patterns following chemically-induced muscle pain we repetitively injected protons (low pH) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in isotonic solution into the left extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle of female FMS patients and female healthy control subjects (HC). The injection of protons/PGE(2) has the advantage that it is not prone to tachyphylaxis compared to capsaicin and hypotonic saline solution.

Long-acting local anesthetics attenuate FMLP-induced acute lung injury in rats.

Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a mediator of lung diseases and a potent pulmonary vasoconstrictor. In addition to thromboxane A2, it participates in the formation of lung edema. Both lidocaine and mepivacaine attenuate the increase of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and lung edema development.

Painful and nonpainful phantom and stump sensations in acute traumatic amputees.

Background: The formation, prevalence, intensity, course, and predisposing factors of phantom limb pain were investigated to determine possible mechanisms of the origin of phantom limb pain in traumatic upper limb amputees.

Methods: Ninety-six upper limb amputees participated in the study. A questionnaire assessed the following question: side, date, extension, and cause of amputation; preamputation pain; and presence or absence of phantom pain, phantom and stump sensations or stump pain or both.