Up-Down Reader: An Open Source Program for Efficiently Processing 50% von Frey Thresholds

Frontiers in Pharmacology
Rafael Gonzalez-CanoMichael Costigan

Abstract

Most pathological pain conditions in patients and rodent pain models result in marked alterations in mechanosensation and the gold standard way to measure this is by use of von Frey fibers. These graded monofilaments are used to gauge the level of stimulus-evoked sensitivity present in the affected dermal region. One of the most popular methods used to determine von Frey thresholds is the up-down testing paradigm introduced by Dixon for patients in 1980 and by Chapman and colleagues for rodents in 1994. Although the up-down method is very accurate, leading to its widespread use, defining the 50% threshold from primary data is complex and requires a relatively time-consuming analysis step. We developed a computer program, the Up-Down Reader (UDReader), that can locate and recognize handwritten von Frey assessments from a scanned PDF document and translate these measurements into 50% pain thresholds. Automating the process of obtaining the 50% threshold values negates the need for reference tables or Microsoft Excel formulae and eliminates the chance of a manual calculation error. Our simple and straightforward method is designed to save research time while improving data collection accuracy and is freely available at https://sou...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1980·Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology·W J Dixon
Jul 1, 1994·Journal of Neuroscience Methods·S R ChaplanT L Yaksh
Jun 10, 2000·Science·C J Woolf, M W Salter
Sep 10, 2008·Current Pain and Headache Reports·Rainer Maag, Ralf Baron
Mar 5, 2009·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Jeffrey S Mogil
Apr 30, 2009·Annual Review of Neuroscience·Michael CostiganClifford J Woolf
May 1, 2012·The Journal of Pain : Official Journal of the American Pain Society·Charles MillsMichael Decker
May 13, 2014·Lancet Neurology·David L H Bennett, C Geoffrey Woods
Sep 25, 2014·Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal·Laura CornelissenCharles B Berde
Mar 10, 2015·Behavioural Brain Research·Guy A HigginsSandy Thevarkunnel
Mar 31, 2015·BMC Anesthesiology·Keliang XieLichao Hou
Jan 14, 2016·Pain·Antonina S MangioneStephen P Hunt
Jan 21, 2017·The Journal of Physiology·James R F HockleyGordon McMurray

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

UDReader
Up Down Reader
OpenCV
Excel
Python
MacOS
Windows

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.