Active clinical trials for "Pain Insensitivity, Congenital"

The aim of this study is to increase norepinephrine levels in a population of young adults where NE levels are very low or undetectable. In order to achieve this, the optimal dose will be determined in a titration step. In the titration step, different doses of L-DOPS will be tested in order to find the optimal and safest dose suitable for each individual enrolled in the study. Because L-DOPS has never been used in the US in children or young adults, with this titration step investigators will also determine the safest dose for this population. Currently, L-DOPS is being used in our center to treat othostatic hypotension in autonomic failure. The titration step for this study starts with the dose of 100 mg and increases in an escalating manner up to a maximum of 600 mg a day (see investigational brochure attached). L-DOPS has been developed in capsules for oral used and all the previous safety data has been performed using this route. Oral route is the one that will used during study. Carbidopa is well tolerated, safe in children and it has been used in this population in the US without severe adverse effects.

This study compares the clinical efficacy of newer local anaesthetic drugs Levobupivacaine and Ropivacaine with Bupivacaine in lumbar epidural anaesthesia for hip surgeries.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between β-endorphin levels in blood plasma and saliva in healthy participants with different pain sensitivity and in those with acute pain in oral and maxillofacial region. Expected results Relation between blood plasma and saliva β-endorphins levels Differences of blood plasma β-endorphins levels in healthy participants with different pain sensitivity and in those with acute pain Differences of saliva β-endorphins levels in healthy participants with different pain sensitivity and in those with acute pain Objective method of patient's pain sensation evaluation Correlation between patient's self-reported understanding of pain levels in oral surgery procedures, levels in saliva and blood plasma β-endorphins levels and sensitivity to cold test results Study protocol: Selection of participants Evaluation of pain perception in oral surgery procedures by healthy adult participants. Groups formation, according to the results from first stage, resulting in high and low pain rating participants groups. Control group formation from patients with acute pain in oral and maxillofacial region Control rating of participants 1. Patients that have been assigned to groups according to subjective pain ratings in oral surgery procedures will have to repeat the same questionnaire to ensure the correct group assignment. 2. Patients that have been assigned to groups according to subjective pain ratings in oral surgery procedures, will undergo the sensitivity and tolerance to cold pain test. 3. Patients that were assigned to control-acute pain group, will be included in further study stages only with clinically diagnosed cause of acute pain in oral and maxillofacial region to avoid possible psychogenic or general diseases pain. Evaluation of β-endorphins - sampling Saliva samples will be collected by all further included participants by one selves participants with researchers supervision. Blood samples will be collected from forearm veins by researcher. Evaluation of β-endorphins - laboratorial examination 1. Levels of β-endorphins in saliva and blood will be evaluated according to manufacturer of β-endorphins evaluation kit for human research. Every sample will be evaluated twice and the mean level will be evaluated. Statistical analysis 1. Statistical analysis will be produced to access all possible relationships

To understand the pathophysiological basis of heritable pain syndromes. This will consist of a number of components: Determine the genetic basis for heritable pain syndromes. Investigate the pain symptoms, psychological co-morbidity and quality of life in patients with heritable pain syndromes. Use quantitative sensory testing to investigate abnormalities in sensory processing. Use imaging modalities to investigate the neural correlates of pain perception in heritable channelopathies. In select patients to perform skin biopsy to determine if there has been any damage to C-fibres. To perform skin biopsy in order to culture fibroblasts and neural crest stem cells for future studies into the molecular basis of altered pain perception. To use neurophysiological tests, the axon reflex, and conditioning challenges to determine how peripheral nerves, in heritable channelopathies and unusual pain syndromes, have been altered. Microneurographic recordings for directly detecting the function of pain fibres in peripheral nerves. Knowledge gained from the study will be used to aid the further development of genetic testing and specific pain questionnaires for the diagnosis of heritable pain syndromes secondary to channelopathies. Ultimately better knowledge of underlying pathophysiology in these heritable pain conditions may inform the development of novel treatments.