Pain Management

An often overlooked condition, central neuropathic pain ensues directly when any type of central nervous system (CNS) lesion causes the dysfunction of somatosensory CNS pathways. It occurs most often after a stroke or as sequelae of multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury, explained James C. Watson, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, at the 2016 American Academy of Pain Medicine meeting. Central neuropathic pain is challenging to diagnose and treat.

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation as a Therapeutic Modality

By Walter Alexander

Pain Management

VBCN - November 2016 Volume 3, No 3

“Of course, the Holy Grail of pain treatment would be to treat the affected site directly,” said Max M. Klein, PhD, Instructor of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, at the 2016 American Academy of Pain Medicine meeting.

Provider Education Key to Preventing the Growing Epidemic of Misuse and Abuse in Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain, the FDA Emphasizes

By Alice Goodman

Pain Management

VBCN - April 2016 Volume 3, No 1

In February 2016, the FDA published a special report in the New England Journal of Medicine, alerting the medical community, including providers, policymakers, and drug manufacturers about “the growing epidemic of opioid abuse, addiction, and overdose—an epidemic directly related to the increasingly widespread use of powerful opioid pain medications”.

Sex Differences in Response to Tramadol Therapy

By Chase Doyle

Pain Management

VBCN - July 2015 Volume 2, No 2

The analgesic effects of tramadol (Ultram), 1 of the 5 most often prescribed opioids in the world, may be sex-dependent, according to a study presented at the 2015 American Academy of Pain Medicine annual meeting.

New Biomarkers Identify Chronic Pain Severity

By Chase Doyle

Pain Management

VBCN - July 2015 Volume 2, No 2

Until recently, the selection of patients for aggressive pain control therapy, including high-dose opioids and implanted delivery systems, has mostly been done on a subjective basis.

Opioid Abuse Risk in Patients with Chronic Pain

By Chase Doyle

Pain Management

VBCN - July 2015 Volume 2, No 2

In the treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain, patient-specific factors, especially household income, more accurately predicted quality-of-life outcomes than opioid use, according to a study presented at the 2015 American Academy of Neurology annual meeting.

Should Neurologists Prescribe Opioids for the Management of Chronic Pain?

By Chase Doyle

Pain Management

VBCN - May 2015 Volume 2, No 1

At the 2015 AAN meeting, experts discussed the role and responsibility of neurologists who prescribe opioids for chronic pain management in light of growing concerns of opioid misuse and abuse.