Spinal cord stimulation in a rat model of neuropathic pain: Evidence for a segmental spinal mechanism of pain relief
Major
Neuroscience
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Neuroscience, Pre-Medicine
Expected Graduation Date
2022
Location
CNS Atrium, Easel 30
Start Date
4-9-2022 11:15 AM
End Date
4-9-2022 12:30 PM
Abstract
Millions of people in the United States have some form of neuropathic pain, which is a type of pain caused by nerve damage that is characterized by shooting or burning pain. Commonly, opioids are used as a pain management tool for chronic neuropathic pain, although there is the potential for addiction for the patient. Also, for some people, opioids and other medication treatments are ineffective, necessitating the need for non-pharmacological interventions. One such alternative is spinal cord stimulation (SCS), which uses an implanted device to send electrical impulses into the spinal cord. Although clinically effective, the mechanism of SCS is poorly understood. Using rats, we examined the effectiveness of SCS as a form of treatment for neuropathic pain and peptide/protein changes following SCS treatment. In the experiment, the left sciatic nerve was severed (prior to SCS treatment) on the rats to serve as a model of chronic pain. Data was collected from 1) a baseline period, 2) following sciatic nerve damage, and 3) two days following initiation of SCS. Pressure tolerances were collected using the Von Frey test,which measures the amount of pressure required before the animal removes its paw from the stimulus. Based on our previously published data, it is hypothesized that the rats that are on the stimulator will have a decreased pain response. The results of the behavioral data and peptidomics data will be discussed following completion of the data collection and statistical analysis.
Spinal cord stimulation in a rat model of neuropathic pain: Evidence for a segmental spinal mechanism of pain relief
CNS Atrium, Easel 30
Millions of people in the United States have some form of neuropathic pain, which is a type of pain caused by nerve damage that is characterized by shooting or burning pain. Commonly, opioids are used as a pain management tool for chronic neuropathic pain, although there is the potential for addiction for the patient. Also, for some people, opioids and other medication treatments are ineffective, necessitating the need for non-pharmacological interventions. One such alternative is spinal cord stimulation (SCS), which uses an implanted device to send electrical impulses into the spinal cord. Although clinically effective, the mechanism of SCS is poorly understood. Using rats, we examined the effectiveness of SCS as a form of treatment for neuropathic pain and peptide/protein changes following SCS treatment. In the experiment, the left sciatic nerve was severed (prior to SCS treatment) on the rats to serve as a model of chronic pain. Data was collected from 1) a baseline period, 2) following sciatic nerve damage, and 3) two days following initiation of SCS. Pressure tolerances were collected using the Von Frey test,which measures the amount of pressure required before the animal removes its paw from the stimulus. Based on our previously published data, it is hypothesized that the rats that are on the stimulator will have a decreased pain response. The results of the behavioral data and peptidomics data will be discussed following completion of the data collection and statistical analysis.