Abstract
The therapeutic effects of dextrorphan and ketamine, two non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, on neuropathic pain-related behaviors were examined in rats with peripheral mononeuropathy induced by loose ligation of the common sciatic nerve (chronic constrictive injury, CCI). Four daily intrathecal treatments (beginning 1 h after nerve ligation) with dextrorphan or ketamine (12.5-100 nmol) reliably attenuated hyperalgesia to radiant heat and spontaneous pain-related behaviors in CCI rats. Thermal hyperalgesia also was reduced in CCI rats receiving a single intrathecal treatment with either dextrorphan or ketamine (50 and 100 nmol for each compound) on day 3 after nerve ligation when thermal hyperalgesia was well developed. Since both dextrorphan and ketamine are currently utilized in other clinical applications, the results suggest a new therapeutic utility of these 'old' compounds in treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes resulting from peripheral nerve injury.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 164-168 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Brain Research |
Volume | 605 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 5 Mar 1993 |
Keywords
- Dextrorphan
- Hyperalgesia
- Ketamine
- NMDA receptor
- Nerve injury
- Neuropathic pain
- Spontaneous pain