Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to central neuropathic pain, a condition associated with significant morbidity and is challenging in terms of the clinical management. Despite extensive efforts, identifying effective biomarkers for neuropathic pain remains elusive. Here we propose a novel approach combining matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with artificial neural networks (ANNs) to discriminate between mass spectral profiles associated with chronic neuropathic pain induced by SCI in female mice. Functional evaluations revealed persistent chronic neuropathic pain following mild SCI as well as minor locomotor disruptions, confirming the value of collecting serum samples. Mass spectra analysis revealed distinct profiles between chronic SCI and sham controls. On applying ANNs, 100% success was achieved in distinguishing between the two groups through the intensities of m/z peaks. Additionally, the ANNs also successfully discriminated between chronic and acute SCI phases. When reflexive pain response data was integrated with mass spectra, there was no improvement in the classification. These findings offer insights into neuropathic pain pathophysiology and underscore the potential of MALDI-TOF MS coupled with ANNs as a diagnostic tool for chronic neuropathic pain, potentially guiding attempts to discover biomarkers and develop treatments.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• chronická bolest krev   diagnóza   etiologie   MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši MeSH
• neuralgie * krev   diagnóza   etiologie   MeSH
• neuronové sítě * MeSH
• poranění míchy * komplikace   krev   MeSH
• spektrometrie hmotnostní - ionizace laserem za účasti matrice * metody   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

There is evidence that neuropathic pain component in low back pain (LBP) patients is associated with higher ratings of comorbidities such as depression and anxiety disorders. In line with current findings, the purpose of this clinical study is to examine a hypothesis regarding a relationship of neuropathic pain component, depression, and other psychopathological symptoms in a specific group of LBP patients with sciatica pain. With respect to findings that depression is related to inflammatory changes, and inflammatory mediators may play a role in neuropathic pain generation, we have assessed also serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Results of the present study show that increased neuropathic pain component in sciatica patients is associated with elevated levels of depression, anxiety, alexithymia, and serum CRP levels. In conclusion, results of this study indicate that CRP levels in sciatica patients are closely associated with neuropathic pain.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• C-reaktivní protein metabolismus   MeSH
• deprese krev   diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• ischialgie krev   diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• měření bolesti metody   MeSH
• neuralgie krev   diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

• MeSH
• amplifikace genu statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• DNA virů analýza   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• herpes zoster komplikace   krev   MeSH
• leukocyty mononukleární MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neuralgie etiologie   krev   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• techniky amplifikace nukleových kyselin MeSH
• virus varicella zoster MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH