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Researchers identify brain circuit linked to chemotherapy side effect cold allodynia
Researchers identify a brain circuit that involves sensations linked to a chemotherapy side effect called cold allodynia. Cold allodynia is in news as it is described as a nerve-related pain condition where mild cold triggers intense burning or freezing sensations.
Cold Allodynia:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Core feature | It is a condition in which the sufferer may feel pain or distress from even a regular level of cold temperatures. |
| Symptoms | Symptoms include sharp, burning pain, tingling, and pins-and-needles sensations. |
| Causes | Causes include diabetes, chemotherapy, infections, autoimmune diseases, and nutritional deficiencies. |
| Diabetes link | Diabetes can injure peripheral nerves, leading to diabetic neuropathy, which may include cold allodynia. |
| Chemotherapy link | Certain cancer treatments affect nerve function and can cause painful cold sensitivity. |
| Drug example | Oxaliplatin is a commonly used chemotherapy drug that contains platinum. |
| Infections link | Viral infections, for example shingles, can inflame nerves, sometimes causing persistent neuropathic pain. |
| Autoimmune diseases link | Autoimmune diseases, for example lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can target the nervous system. |
| Nutritional deficiencies link | Lack of B vitamins, particularly B12, can impair nerve health. |
| Medicines | Medicines include pregabalin, gabapentin, and duloxetine. |
| Topical treatments and NSAIDs | Topical treatments include lidocaine or capsaicin creams, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also used. |
| Lifestyle changes | Lifestyle changes include keeping feet warm, wearing insulated socks and shoes, and using heated flooring pads or warm water soaks while avoiding extremes of temperature. |
| Alternative therapy | Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, TENS, delivers mild electrical currents to block pain pathways. |