Chronic Neuropathic Pain and Comorbid Depression Syndrome: From Neural Circuit Mechanisms to Treatment.
ACS chemical neuroscience – July 03, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Scientists have discovered that chronic neuropathic pain and depression are deeply interconnected in the brain, sharing common neural circuits. When pain signals persist, they can trigger changes in brain regions controlling mood. New research reveals specific neural pathways that, when targeted with treatments like ketamine, can simultaneously reduce both pain and depression symptoms, offering hope for millions affected by this challenging dual condition.
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain and comorbid depression syndrome (CDS) is a major worldwide health problem that affects the quality of life of patients and imposes a tremendous socioeconomic burden. More than half of patients with chronic neuropathic pain also suffer from moderate or severe depression. Due to the complex pathogenesis of CDS, there are no effective therapeutic drugs available. The lack of research on the neural circuit mechanisms of CDS limits the development of treatments. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the various circuits involved in CDS. Notably, activating some neural circuits can alleviate pain and/or depression, while activating other circuits can exacerbate these conditions. Moreover, we discuss current and emerging pharmacotherapies for CDS, such as ketamine. Understanding the circuit mechanisms of CDS may provide clues for the development of novel drug treatments for improved CDS management.