The Molecular Basis and Pathophysiology of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a complex orofacial pain syndrome characterized by the paroxysmal onset of pain attacks in the trigeminal distribution. The underlying mechanism for this debilitating condition is still not clearly understood. Decades of basic and clinical evidence support the demyelinat...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/7/3604 |
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| author | QiLiang Chen Dae Ik Yi Josiah Nathan Joco Perez Monica Liu Steven D. Chang Meredith J. Barad Michael Lim Xiang Qian |
| author_facet | QiLiang Chen Dae Ik Yi Josiah Nathan Joco Perez Monica Liu Steven D. Chang Meredith J. Barad Michael Lim Xiang Qian |
| author_sort | QiLiang Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a complex orofacial pain syndrome characterized by the paroxysmal onset of pain attacks in the trigeminal distribution. The underlying mechanism for this debilitating condition is still not clearly understood. Decades of basic and clinical evidence support the demyelination hypothesis, where demyelination along the trigeminal afferent pathway is a major driver for TN pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Such pathological demyelination can be triggered by physical compression of the trigeminal ganglion or another primary demyelinating disease, such as multiple sclerosis. Further examination of TN patients and animal models has revealed significant molecular changes, channelopathies, and electrophysiological abnormalities in the affected trigeminal nerve. Interestingly, recent electrophysiological recordings and advanced functional neuroimaging data have shed new light on the global structural changes and the altered connectivity in the central pain-related circuits in TN patients. The current article aims to review the latest findings on the pathophysiology of TN and cross-examining them with the current surgical and pharmacologic management for TN patients. Understanding the underlying biology of TN could help scientists and clinicians to identify novel targets and improve treatments for this complex, debilitating disease. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:48:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fcd08382cddd4614836d30d674b18548 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:48:03Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-fcd08382cddd4614836d30d674b185482023-11-30T23:19:21ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-03-01237360410.3390/ijms23073604The Molecular Basis and Pathophysiology of Trigeminal NeuralgiaQiLiang Chen0Dae Ik Yi1Josiah Nathan Joco Perez2Monica Liu3Steven D. Chang4Meredith J. Barad5Michael Lim6Xiang Qian7Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USADepartment of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USADepartment of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USADepartment of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USADepartment of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USADepartment of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USADepartment of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USADepartment of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USATrigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a complex orofacial pain syndrome characterized by the paroxysmal onset of pain attacks in the trigeminal distribution. The underlying mechanism for this debilitating condition is still not clearly understood. Decades of basic and clinical evidence support the demyelination hypothesis, where demyelination along the trigeminal afferent pathway is a major driver for TN pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Such pathological demyelination can be triggered by physical compression of the trigeminal ganglion or another primary demyelinating disease, such as multiple sclerosis. Further examination of TN patients and animal models has revealed significant molecular changes, channelopathies, and electrophysiological abnormalities in the affected trigeminal nerve. Interestingly, recent electrophysiological recordings and advanced functional neuroimaging data have shed new light on the global structural changes and the altered connectivity in the central pain-related circuits in TN patients. The current article aims to review the latest findings on the pathophysiology of TN and cross-examining them with the current surgical and pharmacologic management for TN patients. Understanding the underlying biology of TN could help scientists and clinicians to identify novel targets and improve treatments for this complex, debilitating disease.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/7/3604trigeminal neuralgiapathophysiologysensitizationclassificationstreatments |
| spellingShingle | QiLiang Chen Dae Ik Yi Josiah Nathan Joco Perez Monica Liu Steven D. Chang Meredith J. Barad Michael Lim Xiang Qian The Molecular Basis and Pathophysiology of Trigeminal Neuralgia International Journal of Molecular Sciences trigeminal neuralgia pathophysiology sensitization classifications treatments |
| title | The Molecular Basis and Pathophysiology of Trigeminal Neuralgia |
| title_full | The Molecular Basis and Pathophysiology of Trigeminal Neuralgia |
| title_fullStr | The Molecular Basis and Pathophysiology of Trigeminal Neuralgia |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Molecular Basis and Pathophysiology of Trigeminal Neuralgia |
| title_short | The Molecular Basis and Pathophysiology of Trigeminal Neuralgia |
| title_sort | molecular basis and pathophysiology of trigeminal neuralgia |
| topic | trigeminal neuralgia pathophysiology sensitization classifications treatments |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/7/3604 |
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