Patricia Beltrá, Nuria Viudes-Sarrión, María José Giner, Emilio Tomás-Muñoz, Laura Pérez-Cervera, Rodrigo Martín-San Agustín, Francisco Javier Ortega, Raúl Valdesuso, Luis Suso-Martí, Alexander Binshtok, Miguel Delicado-Miralles, Enrique Velasco
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: This review aimed to compile the literature on synaptic plasticity induced by electrical nerve stimulation (ENS) in nociceptive and somatosensory circuits within the central nervous system, with a particular focus on its effects on both the brain and spinal cord. Understanding the mechanisms underlying synaptic changes, enhances our comprehension of how ENS contributes to both pain relief and the development of experimental pain models.
Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, SciELO, and Cochrane databases, adhering to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, and evaluated the quality of evidence using SYRCLE's risk of bias tool. The inclusion criteria were application of ENS to peripheral nerves, reporting of a detailed methodology, providing direct physiological measurements of synaptic activity (eg, field potentials or intracellular recordings), and publication in English or Spanish. From 8094 results, 85 studies met the inclusion criteria.
Results: ENS was found to induce synaptic potentiation in 70 studies, depression in 7, and both effects in 8. These outcomes were determined by specific stimulation parameters and individual characteristics, with distinct molecular mechanisms involved in each case. Notably, most research focused on long-term potentiation in nociceptive pathways to create experimental pain models, with most studies conducted in the spinal cord. Few studies explored the link between ENS-induced synaptic plasticity and its analgesic effects or the role of plasticity in supraspinal brain regions, suggesting promising areas for future research.
Conclusions: ENS-induced synaptic plasticity presents a valuable opportunity for both pain management and the development of experimental pain models. Further research is needed to explore the connections between plasticity, analgesia, and higher brain regions.
期刊介绍：
Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface is the preeminent journal in the area of neuromodulation, providing our readership with the state of the art clinical, translational, and basic science research in the field. For clinicians, engineers, scientists and members of the biotechnology industry alike, Neuromodulation provides timely and rigorously peer-reviewed articles on the technology, science, and clinical application of devices that interface with the nervous system to treat disease and improve function.
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