TN Research

Research for Options in Treating Trigeminal Neuralgia: 

Research for Options in Treating Trigeminal Neuralgia R.A. “Red” Lawhern, Ph.D. Webmaster – TNA Homepage – 1998-2001

Outline: 

Outline Types of Face Pain Disorders Trends in Visibility for Face Pain Recent Research General Pain Research Medications for TN Surgery for TN Alternative Treatments for TN Resources, On-Line and Off

Face Pain Disorders: 

Face Pain Disorders Trigeminal Neuralgia Typical, Atypical Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Postherpetic Neuralgia Geniculate Neuralgia Vegal / Superior Laryngeal Neuralgia Occipital Neuralgia “MS-related” face pain Cluster headache Fibromyalgia Anesthesia Dolorosa Atypical Odontalgia Hemi-facial spasm NICO TMJ Facial Tendonitis Sinusitis, Dental Problems “Atypical Facial Pain Syndrome”

Trends in Visibility 1996-2003: 

Trends in Visibility 1996-2003 TN Hits at Google: 24,500 ATN at Google: 475 GN at Google: 165 TN Abstracts at Pub Med: ~3600 TN Hits at Google: ~1800 ATN at Google <100 GN at Google: <30 TN Abstracts at Pub Med: <1000 1996 2003

Trends in Pain Research: 

Trends in Pain Research Medical profession has finally discovered pain More articles about under-treatment, standards More research on CNS neurologic pain Primarily neuralgia, spinal and cancer pain Increased public advocacy for new policies Treatment on demand, not on “need” Patient informed and participating Multi-disciplinary pain management

Research on Medical Treatment: 

Research on Medical Treatment Studies of the adequacy of past trials AC1 / AC8 Animal studies (January 03) Proteins to suppress pain sensitivity Neuro-peptide studies (OSU) Anti-convulsants and Neuropathic Pain Shingles prevention study (trials) Topimirate – Antidepressant (experimental) Valproic Acid (experimental)

Research on Surgery: 

Research on Surgery Use of templates in Gamma Knife focus Use of Endoscopes in DMV exploration Deep Brain Stimulation (Janetta)

Research on Alternative Treatments: 

Research on Alternative Treatments Magnets in treatment of Sciatica (trials)

Review of Treatments – Medical: 

Review of Treatments – Medical Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Gabapentin (Neurontin) Baclofen Clonozepam Lamotrigin Oxcarbamazepine Phenytoin Amitriptyline Nortriptyline (Pamelor) Protriptyline Sumatriptan (cluster headaches) NSAIDS / Opoids Capsaisin (topical)

Review of Treatments – Surgical: 

Review of Treatments – Surgical MVD Radio Frequency Rhizotomy Balloon Compression Glycerol Rhizotomy Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Nerve Blocks Neurotomy NICO Surgery DREZ (Dorsal Root Entry Zone)

Review of Treatments - Alternative: 

Review of Treatments - Alternative Acupuncture Ayurvedic Medicine Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Capsaisin Cervical Chiropractic Exercise / Running Homeopathy Hot / Cold Compresses Hypnosis Low Intensity Laser Lidocaine Cream / Patch Myotherapy Osteopathy TENS (Postherpetic N.) Vitamin B12 Yoga / Biofeedback

Doing Your Own Info Research: 

Doing Your Own Info Research Striking Back – A Layman’s Guide to… George Wiegel and Kenneth F. Casey M.D. Trigeminal Neuralgia – Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Current Treatment British Journal of Anesthesia, 2001, Vol 87, No 1 (online) TNA Homepage: http://www.tna-support.org Facial Neuralgia Resources: http://facial-neuralgia.org Google: http://www.google.com Others: Altavista, Medline, Yahoo