Rapid and Delayed Effects of Pulsed Radiofrequency on Neuropathic Pain: Electrophysiological, Molecular, and Behavioral Evidence Supporting Long-Term Depression.

CONCLUSIONS: Low-voltage bipolar PRF produces LTD through selective suppression on the C-component, but not on the A-component. It also inhibits ERK activation within neurons and astrocytes in SDHs. The findings suggest that PRF alleviates long-lasting neuropathic pain by selectively and persistently modulating C-fiber-mediated spinal nociceptive hypersensitivity.Key words: Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), dorsal root ganglion (DRG), neuropathic pain, ERK activation, evoked field potential, ATF-3, long-term depression (LTD), spinal nerve ligation (SNL).
PMID: 28158164 [PubMed - in process]

Source: Pain Physician - January 31, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Huang RY, Liao CC, Tsai SY, Yen CT, Lin CW, Chen TC, Lin WT, Chang CH, Wen YR Tags: Pain Physician Source Type: research