Cerebrospinal fluid levels of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor correlate with spinal cord stimulation frequency in patients with neuropathic pain: a preliminary report

K. F. McCarthy*, C. McCrory

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Study design: Case series.

Objectives: To evaluate relationships between spinal cord stimulation (SCS) parameters and levels of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF).

Setting: Ambulatory pain clinic of St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Methods: Nine patients with an implanted SCS and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) were administered the Brief Pain Inventory and Short Form (36) Health Survey. Following a lumbar puncture, levels of GDNF in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were assayed and correlated with stimulation parameters. Controls were patients with arthritic back pain who were matched for age, gender and SF-36 score.

Results: Concentrations of GDNF in CSF are higher in patients with FBSS than controls (P=0.002) and correlate with SCS frequency (P=0.029).

Conclusion: Concentrations of GDNF in CSF are higher in neuropathic pain and appear to be related to stimulation frequency. Further work is needed to evaluate this potential relationship, both in neuropathic pain and in other contexts such as locomotor dysfunction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S8-S10
Number of pages3
JournalSpinal Cord
Volume52
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2014

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • GDNF

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