Clinical use of pregabalin in the management of central neuropathic pain

Central neuropathic pain is a painful condition, often severe, that occurs in a person who is already affected by an injury or disease of the brain or spinal cord. This dual insult is especially threatening to the quality of life of a person and their ability to perform even the most basic of tasks. Despite this high level of suffering there are relatively few trials investigating the management of central neuropathic pain. However, two randomised placebo-controlled studies have recently emerged demonstrating efficacy of pregabalin in reducing central neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury and central poststroke pain. Pregabalin, an anticonvulsant, has been shown to be efficacious in the management of peripheral neuropathic pain of various causes and now may have a role to play in central neuropathic pain.