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CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1871-5273
ISSN (Online): 1996-3181

Palmitoylethanolamide Restores Myelinated-Fibre Function in Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Painful Neuropathy

Author(s): A. Truini, A. Biasiotta, G. Di Stefano, S. La Cesa, C. Leone, C. Cartoni, V. Federico, M. T. Petrucci and G. Cruccu

Volume 10, Issue 8, 2011

Page: [916 - 920] Pages: 5

DOI: 10.2174/187152711799219307

Price: $65

Abstract

We assessed the effect of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) on pain and nerve function in patients with chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy, in 20 patients undergoing thalidomide and bortezomib treatment for multiple myeloma. All patients were evaluated before and after a two-month treatment with PEA 300 mg BID using pain and warmth thresholds; blinded examiners measured motor and sensory nerve fibre function and laser-evoked potentials. Although no variables returned to normal values, pain and all neurophysiological measures — assessing Aα, Aβ, and Aδ fibres — significantly improved (P < 0.05). In contrast, warmth thresholds, assessing unmyelinated afferents, remained unchanged (P > 0.50). Although a placebo effect might play a role in the reported pain relief, the changes in neurophysiological measures indicate that PEA exerted a positive action on myelinated fibre groups. PEA, possibly by moderating mast cell hyperactivity, relieved conduction blocks secondary to endoneural edema. In a severe condition such as painful neuropathy associated with multiple myeloma and chemotherapy, a safe substance such as PEA provides significant restoration of nerve function.

Keywords: Bortezomib, laser evoked potentials, multiple myeloma, nerve conduction study, painful neuropathy, palmitoylethanolamide, thalidomide, CMAPs


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