Therapeutic Potential of Ultrasound Neuromodulation in Decreasing Neuropathic Pain: Clinical and Experimental Evidence.

Current Neuropharmacology
Iván Pérez-NeriCamilo Ríos

Abstract

For more than seven decades, ultrasound has been used as an imaging and diagnostic tool. Today, new technologies, such as focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation, have revealed some innovative, potential applications. However, those applications have been barely studied to deal with neuropathic pain (NP), a cluster of chronic pain syndromes with a restricted response to conventional pharmaceuticals. To analyze the therapeutic potential of low-intensity (LIFUS) and high-intensity (HIFUS) FUS for managing NP. We performed a narrative review, including clinical and experimental ultrasound neuromodulation studies published in three main database repositories. Evidence shows that FUS may influence several mechanisms relevant for neuropathic pain management such as modulation of ion channels, glutamatergic neurotransmission, cerebral blood flow, inflammation and neurotoxicity, neuronal morphology and survival, nerve regeneration, and remyelination. Some experimental models have shown that LIFUS may reduce allodynia after peripheral nerve damage. At the same time, a few clinical studies support its beneficial effect on reducing pain in nerve compression syndromes. In turn, Thalamic HIFUS ablation can reduce NP from several etiologies...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 12, 2021·Rheumatology International·Josefina GutiérrezCarlos Pineda

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