UI - 000005

AU - Freeman TB

AU - Campbell JN

AU - Long DM

TI - Naloxone does not affect pain relief induced by electrical stimulation in man

AB - IN: New York U Medical Ctr, Dept of Neurosurgery LA: English AB: Investigated whether pain

relief that resulted from transcutaneous (TNS) or spinal cord electrical stimulation in patients with chronic

pain was due to activation of an endogenous opiate-related pain control system. Naloxone (0.4-10 mg, iv) or

saline was injected in double-blind fashion into opiate-naive Ss with chronic pain who achieved 30% or

greater pain relief with spinal cord stimulation (4 patients) or TNS (9 patients). Ss (aged 14-62 yrs) rated

their pain during stimulation and 2, 5, 10, and 15 min after the injection. Two days or more later the

procedure was repeated using the alternate agent (naloxone or saline). Naloxone did not decrease the pain

relief induced by stimulation, suggesting that the effects of stimulation are probably not mediated by the

endogenous opiates. (27 ref) (PsycLIT Database Copyright 1984 American Psychological Assn, all rights

reserved) KP: naloxone; pain relief resulting from transcutaneous or spinal cord electrical stimulation;

chronic pain patients; implications for non-opiate mechanisms in pain control AN: 71-20982

SO - Pain 1983;17:189-195