Posttroke Pain: What it Is, What Causes It, and How to Treat It
Central poststroke pain (CPSP) is a neuropathic pain disorder frequently described as burning pain associated with allodynia and hyperalgesia over affected regions of the body. The underlying mechanisms are not well understood. It has been suggested that stroke associated loss of inhibitory neurons in the spinothalamic tract causes disinhibition of thalamic neurons, which generate ectopic nociceptive action potentials responsible for the pain experience. However, data suggests that pain is dependent on the peripheral afferent input and may be mediated by misinterpretation of sensory input. In this course, the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and symptoms of CPSP will be reviewed. Recent findings may also shed light about future targets for treatment.