Therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in trigeminal neuralgia

Ying Ching Liang, Chiung Chun Huang, Kuei Sen Hsu

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia is a disorder of paroxysmal and severely disabling facial pain and continues to be a real therapeutic challenge to the clinicians. While the exact cause and pathology of this disorder is uncertain, it is thought that trigeminal neuralgia caused by irritation of the trigeminal nerve. This irritation results from damage due to the change in the blood vessels, the presence of a tumor or other lesions that cause the compression of the trigerninal root. The pain of trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by unilateral pain attacks that start abruptly and last for varying periods of time from minutes to hours. The quality of pain is usually sharp, stabbing, lancinating, and burning. The attacks are initiated by mild stimuli such as light touch of the skin, eating, chewing, washing the face, brushing the teeth, and exposure to wind. Although antiepileptic drug therapy may be beneficial in the treatment of trigerninal neuralgia, up to one-half of the patients become refractory or intolerant to these medications. At present there are few other effective drugs. In cases of lacking effect after pharmacotherapy, surgical options may be considered. Currently there is growing amount of evidence to suggest that the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis and individual cannabinoids may be effective in alleviating neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia. Evidence suggests that cannabinoids may prove useful in pain modulation by inhibiting neuronal transmission in pain pathways. Considering the pronounced antinociceptive effects produced by cannabinoids, they may be a promising therapeutic approach for the clinical management of trigeminal neuralgia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)507-514
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Drug Targets: CNS and Neurological Disorders
Volume3
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004 Dec

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Neuroscience(all)
  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in trigeminal neuralgia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this