Phenytoin suppresses spontaneous ectopic discharge in rat sciatic nerve neuromas

摘要: Afferent fibers ending in nerve-end neuromas generate spontaneous impulse discharge which has been implicated as a cause of paraesthesias and pain following peripheral nerve injury man. We now show rats that the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin (PT), applied systemically or topically onto desheathed neuromas, suppresses generation neuroma without blocking conduction. The effect is dose-dependent reversible upon washout. Since PT known to provide effective relief some kinds neuralgia, data suggest clinical analgesic action these conditions may, at least part, involve direct suppression ectopic impulses generated region damage.