Pathophysiology of Pain Perception

Book excerpt: Under certain pathological conditions, the pain processing system, which includes both physiological and psychological components, can produce the experience of pain in the absence of any peripheral noxious event. Considerable evidence now indicates that alterations in pain perception are characteristic of many clinical pain states. Pathophysiology of Pain Perception primarily examines these pathological alterations in the pain-signaling system, with contributions from leading researchers in the field focusing on the functioning of the pain processing system under normal and pathological conditions. The understanding of pain perception is essential for optimal diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pain. This book covers the basics of pain perception (peripheral and central neurotransmission, methods of assessment), various pathological (chronic pain conditions, neurological and psychiatric diseases, cardiovascular disease), and non-pathological alterations of pain perception (pregnancy, labor) as well as the treatments aiming at influencing pain perception such as pharmacological, physical and psychological treatments.