Improvement in the Cognitive Function in Chronic Pain: Therapeutic Potential of the Endocannabinoid System.

Mol Neurobiol

Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Published: March 2025

Chronic pain presents as a complex condition encompassing sensory (Zhang Z et al. Cell Rep 12;752-759, 2015) and emotional components, often accompanied by anxiety, depression, insomnia, and cognitive impairment. These factors significantly hinder daily activities and rehabilitation efforts. The widespread prevalence of chronic pain imposes substantial clinical, societal, and economic burdens. While current analgesics have limitations and associated side effects such as tolerance, dependency, cognitive deficits, and a narrow therapeutic window, the search for new analgesic options remains imperative. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), a key modulator in pain processing pathways, plays a crucial role in executive functions. This review specifically focuses on the cognitive impairments associated with chronic pain and highlights the pivotal role of the ECS in the cognitive aspects of pain. Additionally, the effectiveness of cannabinoid-based medications in improving executive functions in patients with chronic pain is evaluated.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12035-025-04814-8DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

chronic pain
20
endocannabinoid system
8
executive functions
8
pain
7
chronic
5
improvement cognitive
4
cognitive function
4
function chronic
4
pain therapeutic
4
therapeutic potential
4

Similar Publications

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal disease globally and is the main reason for the chronic pain and disability in people over sixty-five worldwide. Degradation of the articular cartilage, synovial inflammation and osteophyte formation are widely acknowledged as the primary pathological manifestations of OA. OA affects more than 300 million people all over the world, bringing extremely large socioeconomic burden.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A significant portion of adolescents suffer from mental illnesses and persistent pain due to repeated stress. The components of the nervous system that link stress and pain in early life remain unclear. Prior studies in adult mice implicated the innate immune system, specifically Toll-like receptors (TLRs), as critical for inducing long-term anxiety and pain-like behaviors in social defeat stress (SDS) models.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative diseases in dogs and humans, which can lead to articular cartilage deterioration, chronic pain, and decreased quality of life. The anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, analgesic, and cartilage regeneration properties of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy provide a new direction for the treatment development of OA in the future. Currently, MSC therapy lacks confirmed ideal sources, dosages, formulations, and specific characteristics.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic condition that leads to joint pain and disability among older adults. An interprofessional collaborative approach has nowadays been widely advocated in knee OA management although little is known about the characteristics of care, roles and responsibilities of healthcare providers and how they collaborate as a team to optimise treatment outcomes. The Donabedian structure-process-outcome framework was used in the review.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) experience acute and chronic health issues requiring lifespan primary care. This review aimed to investigate characteristics and utilization of general practitioner (GP) access by adults with CP. Secondary aims included exploring reasons prompting access, identifying interventions provided, and personal features affecting access.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!