Psychobiology of pain suppression

Journal/Book: Z Klin Psychol Forsch Praxis. 1999; 28: Rohnsweg 25, D-37085 Gottingen, Germany. Hogrefe & Huber Publishers. 235-241.

Abstract: Pain suppression is based on a variety of mechanisms that are best described by a psychobiological perspective.:This is also true for the type of pain suppression which results in the phenomenon ''pain: suppresses pain'': The supra-spinal neuronal mechanism, called ''diffuse noxious inhibitory controls'' (DNIC), is activated quickly by strong and sustained pain and leads to an anatomically generalized (heterotopic) reduction of pain sensitivity outside the original area of pain. This mechanism which helps to prevent a spread of pain seems to be defective in some chronic pain syndromes. A stower acting variant of pain suppression is triggered by psychological and physical stress. The delayed onset and the duration:of minutes suggest a hormonal mechanism of ''stress analgesia''. ''Stress hormones'' (ACTH, beta-endorphin and cortisol) are indeed released. Concurrently with stress analgesia. However, the direct administration of stress hormones does not-produce analgesia. Some sorts of stress analgesia are opioid-dependent because they are prevented by administration of opiate antagonists. The described fast and slow as well as further variants of pain suppression permit a highly flexible:regulation of pain Sensitivity which may be altered by any, even by therapeutic interventions.

Note: Article Lautenbacher S, Univ Marburg, Klin Psychiat & Psychotherapie, Rudolf Bultmann Str 8, D-35033 Munster, GERMANY

Keyword(s): pain suppression; psychobiology; stress; DNIC; analgesia; NOXIOUS INHIBITORY CONTROLS; DORSAL HORN; CONDITIONING STIMULI; CONVERGENT NEURONS; CONTROLS DNICS; PERCEPTION; INVOLVEMENT; FIBROMYALGIA; ANALGESIA; HUMANS

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