NINDS Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Information Page

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What is Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia?

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GN) is a rare pain syndrome that affects the glossopharyngeal nerve (the ninth cranial nerve that lies deep within the neck)  and causes sharp, stabbing pulses of pain in the back of the throat and tongue, the tonsils, and the middle ear.  The excruciating pain of GN can last for a few seconds to a few minutes, and may return multiple times in a day or once every few weeks.  Many individuals with GN relate the attacks of pain to specific trigger factors such as swallowing, drinking cold liquids, sneezing, coughing, talking, clearing the throat, and touching the gums or inside the mouth.  GN can be caused by compression of the glossopharyngeal nerve, but in some cases, no cause is evident.  Like trigeminal neuralgia, it is associated with multiple sclerosis.  GN primarily affects the elderly.

Is there any treatment?

Most doctors will attempt to treat the pain first with drugs.  Some individuals respond well to anticonvulsant drugs, such as carbamazepine and gabapentin.  Surgical options, including nerve resection, tractotomy, or microvascular decompression, should be considered when individuals either don’t respond to, or stop responding to, drug therapy.  Surgery is usually successful at ending the cycles of pain, although there may be some sensory loss in the mouth, throat, or tongue.

What is the prognosis?

Some individuals recover from an initial attack and never have another.  Others will experience clusters of attacks followed by periods of short or long remission.  Individuals may lose weight if they fear that chewing, drinking, or eating will cause an attack. 

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes at the National Institutes of Health conduct research related to GN in its clinics and laboratories and support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country.  Much of this research focuses on finding better ways to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure disorders such as GN.   

NIH Patient Recruitment for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Clinical Trials

Organizations

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: 916-652-8190

 
Related NINDS Publications and Information
  • Pain: Hope Through Research
    Chronic pain information page compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).


Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
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.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Last updated December 11, 2008