Journal
CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS
Volume 10, Issue 8, Pages 916-920Publisher
BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBL
DOI: 10.2174/187152711799219307
Keywords
Bortezomib; laser evoked potentials; multiple myeloma; nerve conduction study; painful neuropathy; palmitoylethanolamide; thalidomide
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
We assessed the effect of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) on pain and nerve function in patients with chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy, in 20 patients undergoing thalidomide and bortezomib treatment for multiple myeloma. All patients were evaluated before and after a two-month treatment with PEA 300 mg BID using pain and warmth thresholds; blinded examiners measured motor and sensory nerve fibre function and laser-evoked potentials. Although no variables returned to normal values, pain and all neurophysiological measures-assessing A alpha, A beta, and A delta fibres-significantly improved (P < 0.05). In contrast, warmth thresholds, assessing unmyelinated afferents, remained unchanged (P > 0.50). Although a placebo effect might play a role in the reported pain relief, the changes in neurophysiological measures indicate that PEA exerted a positive action on myelinated fibre groups. PEA, possibly by moderating mast cell hyperactivity, relieved conduction blocks secondary to endoneural edema. In a severe condition such as painful neuropathy associated with multiple myeloma and chemotherapy, a safe substance such as PEA provides significant restoration of nerve function.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available