Open AccessBenzodiazepines Suppress Neuromodulatory Effects of Pudendal Nerve Stimulation on Rat Bladder Nociception
Author(s) -
Timothy J. Ness,
Jamie McNaught,
Buffie ClodfelderMiller,
Dwight E. Nelson,
Xin Su
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
anesthesia and analgesia/anesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.404
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1526-7598
pISSN - 0003-2999
DOI - 10.1213/ane.0000000000004396
Subject(s) - medicine , nociception , neuromodulation , anesthesia , stimulation , visceral pain , neurostimulation , diazepam , pudendal nerve , hyperalgesia , pharmacology , receptor
Neuromodulation, as a therapeutic modality for pain treatment, is an alternative to opioid therapies and therefore receiving increased interest and use. Neuromodulation at a peripheral nerve target, in the form of bilateral electrical pudendal nerve stimulation (bPNS), has been shown to reduce bladder hypersensitivity in rats and anecdotally reduces pain in humans with pelvic pain of urological origin. Recent studies have identified a role for spinal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in this effect. Concomitant medication use, such as benzodiazepines, could alter responses to neuromodulation, and so before the development of a clinical trial to confirm translation of this potential therapy, the potential interactions between acute and chronic use of benzodiazepines and bPNS were examined in a preclinical model.