Dor Neuropática - Aspectos Neuroquímicos* Neuropathic Pain - Neurochemical Aspects

SUMMARY Kraychete DC, Gozzani JL, Kraychete AC — Neuropathic Pain –Neurochemical Aspects. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neuropathic pain is causedby damage or inflammation of the nervous system. It is a complexsyndrome and its biological mechanisms, involving inflammatoryand immunologic theories, are not clear. The objective of this reviewwas to describe the main biologic factors associated with neu-ropathic pain, making a logical association between hypothesessuggested in the literature. CONTENTS: The main neuromediators, ion channels, and cells,including cells in the nervous system involved in neuronal excitationare described, and the possible activation sequence or interactionamong those agents in the neoplastic change secondary to nervedamage are emphasized. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to conclude that the advances onthe knowledge of the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain can de-termine new pharmacologic approaches for this syndrome. Key Words: PAIN: neuropathic; PHYSIOLOGY: neurotransmitters.