Somatosensory 
Cortical Reorganization
on Neuropathic Pain in Thalamic Post-Stroke Patients

Keimyung Medical Journal 2004;23(2):85-95.

Somatosensory Cortical Reorganization on Neuropathic Pain in Thalamic Post-Stroke Patients

시상 뇌졸증 환자에서 신경병증 통증에 따른 체성감각의 뇌 재구성

박기영; 이인희; 이소영; 김영현; 손철호

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the somatosensory recovery patterns on the neuropathic pain in seven thalamic post-stroke patients. In LANSS (leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs) pain scale using to discern peripheral and central neuropathic pain. four patients showed central neuropathic pains; while three patients had non-neuropathic pain. To evaluate the sensory function impairment; we also performed quantitative somatosensory test; median nerve somatosensory evoked potential (SEP); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and median nerve stimulation functional MRI. The quantitative somatosensory test did not show significant differences between central neuropathic pain group and non-neuropathic pain group. SEPs in affected side had a response in one patient central neuropathic pain group. The responses in unaffected side were normal in all patients tested; MRI-based thalamic localization data indicated that this method had a limitation in distinguishing the central neuropathic pain in thalamic post-stroke patient. the results of functional MRI showed that the central neuropathic pain group was more activated on the secondary somatosensory areas than non-neuropathic pain group. Collectively; the result of this study indicate that the functional MRI may be a helpful device in assessing central neuropathic pain and understanding the somatosensory recovery aspects.

Key Words: Functional MRI, Neuropathic pain, Somatosensory recovery, Thalamic post-stroke patients