Pain relief by electrical stimulation of the periaqueductal and periventricular gray matter

Abstract

✓ Pain relief following stimulation of the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) or periventricular gray matter (PVG) in man has been ascribed to stimulation-induced release of endogenous opioid substances. Forty-five patients were studied and followed for at least 1 year after placement of chronic stimulating electrodes in the PAG or PVG to determine if pain relief due to stimulation could be ascribed to an endogenous opioid mechanism. Three criteria were assessed: 1) the development of tolerance to stimulation; 2) the possibility of cross-tolerance to morphine; and 3) reversibility of stimulation-induced pain relief by the opiate antagonist naloxone. Sixteen patients (35.6%) developed tolerance to stimulation, that is, they obtained progressively less effective pain relief. Twelve (44.4%) of 27 patients undergoing stimulation of the thalamic sensory relay nuclei for treatment of chronic pain (a presumably non-opioid mechanism) also developed tolerance. Morphine sulfate was administered in a blind, placebo-co...