Central Pain Syndrome
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What is Central Pain Syndrome?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations
What is Central Pain Syndrome?
Central pain syndrome is a neurological condition caused by damage to or dysfunction of the central nervous system (CNS),
which includes the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. This syndrome can be caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, epilepsy,
brain or spinal cord trauma, or Parkinson's disease. The character of the pain associated with this syndrome differs widely
among individuals partly because of the variety of potential causes. Central pain syndrome may affect a large portion of the
body or may be more restricted to specific areas, such as hands or feet. The extent of pain is usually related to the cause
of the CNS injury or damage. Pain is typically constant, may be moderate to severe in intensity, and is often made worse by
touch, movement, emotions, and temperature changes, usually cold temperatures. Individuals experience one or more types of
pain sensations, the most prominent being burning. Mingled with the burning may be sensations of "pins and needles;" pressing,
lacerating, or aching pain; and brief, intolerable bursts of sharp pain similar to the pain caused by a dental probe on an
exposed nerve. Individuals may have numbness in the areas affected by the pain. The burning and loss of touch sensations are
usually most severe on the distant parts of the body, such as the feet or hands. Central pain syndrome often begins shortly
after the causative injury or damage, but may be delayed by months or even years, especially if it is related to post-stroke
pain.
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) P.O. Box 850 Rocklin, CA 95677-0850 ACPA@pacbell.net http://www.theacpa.org Tel: 916-632-0922 800-533-3231 Fax: 916-632-3208 |
American Pain Foundation 201 North Charles Street Suite 710 Baltimore, MD 21201-4111 info@painfoundation.org http://www.painfoundation.org Tel: 888-615-PAIN (7246) Fax: 410-385-1832 |
National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain P.O. Box 70045 Houston, TX 77270 NFTPain@cwo.com http://www.paincare.org Tel: 713-862-9332 Fax: 713-862-9346 |
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.
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Last updated May 09, 2008