Effects of spinal cord stimulation on cortical excitability in patients with chronic neuropathic pain: a pilot study

• Published in: European journal of pain Vol. 11; no. 8; p. 863
• Main Authors: Schlaier, Jürgen R, Eichhammer, Peter, Langguth, Berthold, Doenitz, Christian, Binder, Harald, Hajak, Göran, Brawanski, Alexander
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.11.2007
• Subjects: Adult; Cerebral Cortex - physiology; Chronic Disease; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuralgia - diagnosis; Neuralgia - therapy; Pain Measurement; Pilot Projects; Spinal Cord - physiology; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1090-3801; 1532-2149
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2007.01.004

Despite a broad clinical use, the mechanism of action of SCS is poorly understood. Current information suggests that the effects of SCS are mediated by a complex set of interactions at several levels of the nervous system including spinal and supraspinal mechanisms. The study was undertaken to investigate the influence of SCS on distinct parameters of cortical excitability using single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Five patients with chronic neuropathic pain were examined with the SCS stimulator on and off by means of TMS. Pain was assessed using a visual-analogue scale. Electrophysiological and pain parameters of patients during this procedure were compared by means of a linear mixed effect model. SCS induced a significant modulation of cortical excitability, especially by influencing the parameter "intracortical facilitation" (t=-2.657; df=8; p=0.029). A significant relationship between this parameter and "perceived pain" could be obtained (t=-4.798; df=8; p=0.002). These results suggest that SCS is able to influence neurobiological processes at the supraspinal level and that clinical effects of SCS may be at least in part of cortical origin.