Recent evidence suggests that substance P (SP) is up-regulated in primary sensory neurons following axotomy and that this change occurs in larger neurons that do not usually produce SP. If this is so, then the up-regulation may allow normally neighboring, uninjured, and nonnociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons to become effective in activating pain pathways. By using immunohistochemist...

Apolipoprotein E4 (Apo E4) is the major genetic risk factor in the causation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study we utilize virtual screening of the world's largest traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) database and investigate potential compounds for the inhibition of ApoE4. We present the top three TCM candidates: Solapalmitine, Isodesacetyluvaricin, and Budmunchiamine L5 for further inve...

OBJECTIVE To observe the contrast spreading patterns in the retrodiscal (RD) approach for transforaminal epidural steroid injections and their effect on pain reduction. METHOD Patients with L5 radiculopathy who were scheduled to receive lumbar TF-EPB were consecutively included. We randomly divided them into the L4-5 RD and L5-S1 RD groups and administered 1 cc of contrast dye into epidural s...

With the aim to study disc degeneration and the risk of injury during occupational activities, a new finite element (FE) model of the L4-L5-S1 segment of the human spine was developed based on the anthropometry of a typical Colombian worker. Beginning with medical images, the programs CATIA and SOLIDWORKS were used to generate and assemble the vertebrae and create the soft structures of the seg...

A three-year-old girl presented with primary complaint of severe low back pain with radiation to both lower limbs below the knees since 2 months following history of fall and marked restriction of her daily routine activities. After clinicoradiological evaluation she was diagnosed of having dysplastic L5-S1 spondyloptosis. A staged procedure was planned after thorough discussion with her parent...

A 47-year-old white male with a background history of chronic left sciatic pain developed a lump on the left thigh. Muscle MRI showed changes consistent with myotome L5 hypertrophy, while a lumbosacral MRI showed a disc protrusion at L4-L5. Continuous complex repetitive discharges became evident through needle electromyogram with a muscle biopsy showing chronic denervation changes. Botulinum to...

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics and the surgical results of seven patients treated with L5 vertebrectomy. The pathologies, clinical characteristics, preoperative and postoperative radiological findings, surgical techniques, and instrumentation for seven patients operated on between 1998 and 2009 are presented in this article. Biopsies were performed on all patients exce...

Only few cases of traumatic spondylolisthesis (from the cranial to lumbosacral joint) have been reported to date. Recovery of neurological function is dependent on the time of decompression and stabilization. We highlight the paramount importance that the time past between injury and surgical decompression have on neurological recovery and implant durability. Authors present the case of a 26 ye...

Many neurotransmitters involved in pain perception transmit signals via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2) regulates agonist-induced desensitization and signaling of multiple GPCRs and interacts with downstream molecules with consequences for signaling. In general, low GRK2 levels are associated with increased responses to agonist stimulation of GPCRs. Recently, we report...