230 Pain Flashcards
What is the definition of chronic pain?
Pain which persists longer than normal healing times
What are the 4 components of the IMMPACT guidelines for chronic pain?
- Pain intensity
- Physical function
- Emotional function
- Participant rating of improvement
Which hereditary condition is due to mutations in the voltage gates Na channels?
Congenital insensitivity to pain
What is the TRPV-1 receptor?
Capsaicin receptor which is activated with heat or cold
Pain when >43 degrees
What are A-delta fibres?
Myelinated nociceptors - quick, unimodal
What are C-fibres?
Unmyelinated nociceptors
What are A-beta fibres?
Nerves which detect pressure and tactile sensation - can inhibit nociception
Name 3 endogenous opioids
Endorphins
Enkephalins
Dynorphins
Through which part of the spinal cord do 1st order spinothalamic neurones ascend 1-2 levels in the spinal cord before decussating?
Lissauer’s fasciculus
Where in the grey matter do 1st order neurones synapse with 2nd order neurones in the spinothalamic tract?
Substantia gelatinosa
Name 3 parts of the brainstem which receive fibres from the spinothalamic tract
Periaqueductal grey
Locus coeruleus
Raphe nucleus
What do the descending tracts from the brainstem stimulate spinal interneurones to release in the feedback system?
Enkephalins
What 2 things do the enkephalins released from the spinal interneurones cause to ‘dampen down’ pain APs?
- Inhibits NT release from the presynaptic neurone
2. Hyperpolarises the post-synaptic membrane
Which opioid receptors do endorphins have the highest affinity for?
Miu
Which opioid receptors do enkephalins have the highest affinity for?
Delta