Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Pathophysiology of Pain

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Pain Management in Older Adults

Abstract

While acute pain is an alarm signal involving unpleasant sensations and vegetative and behavioural reactions, chronic pain presents with long-lasting consequences. The underlying mechanisms of pain chronicization after an acute pain episode involve both peripheral and central nervous system sensitization. In this chapter, the pathophysiology of acute and chronic pain will be described with a specific focus on elderly patients. Ageing is accompanied by physiological changes, and acute and chronic pain are a major concern for older people. Knowledge of the clinical manifestations of pain processing changes in older people is essential in guaranteeing optimal pain management.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abdulla A, Adams N, Bone M, Elliott AM, Gaffin J, Jones D, et al. Guidance on the management of pain in older people. Age Ageing. 2013;42(Suppl 1):i1–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Achterberg WP, Pieper MJ, van Dalen-Kok AH, de Waal MW, Husebo BS, Lautenbacher S, et al. Pain management in patients with dementia. Clin Interv Aging. 2013;8:1471–82.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Albano WA, Zielinski CM, Organ CH. Is appendicitis in the aged really different? Geriatrics. 1975;30(1 Sz):81–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Almeida TF, Roizenblatt S, Tufik S. Afferent pain pathways: a neuroanatomical review. Brain Res. 2004;1000(1–2):40–56.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amenta F, Zaccheo D, Collier WL. Neurotransmitters, neuroreceptors and aging. Mech Ageing Dev. 1991;61(3):249–73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andersson HI, Ejlertsson G, Leden I, Rosenberg C. Chronic pain in a geographically defined general population: studies of differences in age, gender, social class, and pain localization. Clin J Pain. 1993;9(3):174–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arendt-Nielsen L, Nie H, Laursen MB, Laursen BS, Madeleine P, Simonsen OH, et al. Sensitization in patients with painful knee osteoarthritis. Pain. 2010;149(3):573–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Artigas F, Nutt DJ, Shelton R. Mechanism of action of antidepressants. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2002;36(Suppl 2):123–32.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Banerjee S, Poddar MK. Aging-induced changes in brain regional serotonin receptor binding: effect of Carnosine. Neuroscience. 2016;319:79–91.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barber R, Scheltens P, Gholkar A, Ballard C, McKeith I, Ince P, et al. White matter lesions on magnetic resonance imaging in dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and normal aging. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1999;67(1):66–72.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barili P, De Carolis G, Zaccheo D, Amenta F. Sensitivity to ageing of the limbic dopaminergic system: a review. Mech Ageing Dev. 1998;106(1–2):57–92.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Basbaum AI, Bautista DM, Scherrer G, Julius D. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of pain. Cell. 2009;139(2):267–84.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bathgate D, Snowden JS, Varma A, Blackshaw A, Neary D. Behaviour in frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Acta Neurol Scand. 2001;103(6):367–78.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bautista DM, Jordt S-E, Nikai T, Tsuruda PR, Read AJ, Poblete J, et al. TRPA1 mediates the inflammatory actions of environmental irritants and proalgesic agents. Cell. 2006;124(6):1269–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bergman E, Johnson H, Zhang X, Hökfelt T, Ulfhake B. Neuropeptides and neurotrophin receptor mRNAs in primary sensory neurons of aged rats. J Comp Neurol. 1996;375(2):303–19.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernard J-F, Villanueva L. Architecture fonctionnelle des systèmes nociceptifs (Chapitre 1). In: Bouhassira D, Calvino B, editors. Douleur: physiologie, physiopathologie et pharmacologie. Dion: Arnette; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Binnekade TT, Van Kooten J, Lobbezoo F, Rhebergen D, Van der Wouden JC, Smalbrugge M, et al. Pain experience in dementia subtypes: a systematic review. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2017;14(5):471–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boerlage AA, van Dijk M, Stronks DL, de Wit R, van der Rijt CCD. Pain prevalence and characteristics in three Dutch residential homes. Eur J Pain. 2008;12(7):910–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Budai D, Fields HL. Endogenous opioid peptides acting at mu-opioid receptors in the dorsal horn contribute to midbrain modulation of spinal nociceptive neurons. J Neurophysiol. 1998;79(2):677–87.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calvino B. Neural basis of pain. Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil. 2006;4(1):7–20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Calvino B, Grilo RM. Central pain control. Joint Bone Spine. 2006;73(1):10–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caraceni A, Portenoy RK. An international survey of cancer pain characteristics and syndromes. Pain. 1999;82(3):263–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carlino E, Benedetti F, Rainero I, Asteggiano G, Cappa G, Tarenzi L, et al. Pain perception and tolerance in patients with frontotemporal dementia. Pain. 2010;151(3):783–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carr DB, Goudas LC. Acute pain. Lancet. 1999;353(9169):2051–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cherng CH, Ho ST, Kao SJ, Ger LP. The study of cancer pain and its correlates. Ma Zui Xue Za Zhi. 1991;29(3):653–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chiou A-F, Lin H-Y, Huang H-Y. Disability and pain management methods of Taiwanese arthritic older patients. J Clin Nurs. 2009;18(15):2206–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clinch D, Banerjee AK, Ostick G. Absence of abdominal pain in elderly patients with peptic ulcer. Age Ageing. 1984;13(2):120–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cole LJ, Farrell MJ, Duff EP, Barber JB, Egan GF, Gibson SJ. Pain sensitivity and fMRI pain-related brain activity in Alzheimer’s disease. Brain. 2006;129(Pt 11):2957–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Collerton J, Davies K, Jagger C, Kingston A, Bond J, Eccles MP, et al. Health and disease in 85 year olds: baseline findings from the Newcastle 85+ cohort study. BMJ. 2009;339:b4904.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Collins S, Sigtermans MJ, Dahan A, Zuurmond WWA, Perez RSGM. NMDA receptor antagonists for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Pain Med. 2010;11(11):1726–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Collis D, Waterfield J. The understanding of pain by older adults who consider themselves to have aged successfully. Musculoskeletal Care. 2015;13(1):19–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cook NR, Evans DA, Funkenstein HH, Scherr PA, Ostfeld AM, Taylor JO, et al. Correlates of headache in a population-based cohort of elderly. Arch Neurol. 1989;46(12):1338–44.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Danigo A, Magy L, Demiot C. TRPV1 dans les neuropathies douloureuses–des modèles animaux aux perspectives thérapeutiques. Med Sci (Paris). 2013;29(6–7):597–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Defrin R, Amanzio M, de Tommaso M, Dimova V, Filipovic S, Finn DP, et al. Experimental pain processing in individuals with cognitive impairment: current state of the science. Pain. 2015;156(8):1396–408.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dickstein DL, Kabaso D, Rocher AB, Luebke JI, Wearne SL, Hof PR. Changes in the structural complexity of the aged brain. Aging Cell. 2007;6(3):275–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doyle CA, Hunt SP. Substance P receptor (neurokinin-1)-expressing neurons in lamina I of the spinal cord encode for the intensity of noxious stimulation: a c-Fos study in rat. Neuroscience. 1999;89(1):17–28.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drac H, Babiuch M, WiÅ›niewska W. Morphological and biochemical changes in peripheral nerves with aging. Neuropatol Pol. 1991;29(1–2):49–67.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dubin AE, Patapoutian A. Nociceptors: the sensors of the pain pathway. J Clin Invest. 2010;120(11):3760–72.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ebrahimi Z, Wilhelmson K, Moore CD, Jakobsson A. Frail elders’ experiences with and perceptions of health. Qual Health Res. 2012;22(11):1513–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards RR. Age-associated differences in pain perception and pain processing. In: Gibson SJ, Weiner DK, editors. Pain in older persons progress in pain research and management. Seattle: IASP Press; 2005. p. 45–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrell MJ. Age-related changes in the structure and function of brain regions involved in pain processing. Pain Med. 2012;13(Suppl 2):S37–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Farrell MJ, Katz B, Helme RD. The impact of dementia on the pain experience. Pain. 1996;67(1):7–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fields HL. Is there a facilitating component to central pain modulation? APS J. 1992;1(2):71–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finnerup NB, Haroutounian S, Kamerman P, Baron R, Bennett DLH, Bouhassira D, et al. Neuropathic pain: an updated grading system for research and clinical practice. Pain. 2016;157(8):1599.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gagliese L, Farrell M. The neurobiology of aging, nociception, and pain: an integration of animal and human experimental evidence. In: Gibson SJ, Weiner DK, editors. Pain in older persons progress in pain research and management. Seattle: IASP Press; 2005. p. 25–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gagliese L, Melzack R. Age differences in the quality of chronic pain: a preliminary study. Pain Res Manag. 1997;2(3):157–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gagliese L, Melzack R. Age differences in the response to the formalin test in rats. Neurobiol Aging. 1999;20(6):699–707.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gangadharan V, Kuner R. Pain hypersensitivity mechanisms at a glance. Dis Model Mech. 2013;6(4):889–95.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Gatchel RJ, Peng YB, Peters ML, Fuchs PN, Turk DC. The biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain: scientific advances and future directions. Psychol Bull. 2007;133(4):581–624.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson SJ. Age differences in psychosocial aspects of pain. In: Gibson SJ, Weiner DK, editors. Pain in older persons progress in pain research and management. Seattle: IASP Press; 2005. p. 87–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson SJ, Farrell M. A review of age differences in the neurophysiology of nociception and the perceptual experience of pain. Clin J Pain. 2004;20(4):227–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson SJ, Lussier D. Prevalence and relevance of pain in older persons. Pain Med. 2012;13(Suppl 2):S23–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gignac MAM, Davis AM, Hawker G, Wright JG, Mahomed N, Fortin PR, et al. ‘What do you expect? You’re just getting older’: a comparison of perceived osteoarthritis-related and aging-related health experiences in middle- and older-age adults. Arthritis Rheum. 2006;55(6):905–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilron I, Baron R, Jensen T. Neuropathic pain: principles of diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90(4):532–45.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grime J, Richardson JC, Ong BN. Perceptions of joint pain and feeling well in older people who reported being healthy: a qualitative study. Br J Gen Pract. 2010;60(577):597–603.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hamm RJ, Knisely JS. Environmentally induced analgesia: age-related decline in a neurally mediated, nonopioid system. Psychol Aging. 1986;1(3):195–201.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamm RJ, Knisely JS. Environmentally induced analgesia: an age-related decline in an endogenous opioid system. J Gerontol. 1985;40(3):268–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heinricher MM, Tavares I, Leith JL, Lumb BM. Descending control of nociception: specificity, recruitment and plasticity. Brain Res Rev. 2009;60(1):214–25.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Helme RD, Gibson SJ. The epidemiology of pain in elderly people. Clin Geriatr Med. 2001;17(3):417–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Helme RD, McKernan S. Neurogenic flare responses following topical application of capsaicin in humans. Ann Neurol. 1985;18(4):505–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hilton D, Iman N, Burke GJ, Moore A, O’Mara G, Signorini D, et al. Absence of abdominal pain in older persons with endoscopic ulcers: a prospective study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001;96(2):380–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hukkanen M, Platts LAM, Corbett SA, Santavirta S, Polak JM, Konttinen YT. Reciprocal age-related changes in GAP-43/B-50, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression in rat primary sensory neurones and their terminals in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and subintima of the knee synovium. Neurosci Res. 2002;42(4):251–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IASP Task Force on Taxonomy. Classification of chronic pain: descriptions of chronic pain syndromes and definitions of pain terms. In: Merskey H, Bogduk N, editors. International association for the study of pain. 2nd ed. Seattle: IASP Press; 1994. p. 222.

    Google Scholar 

  • IASP Taxonomy Working Group. Classification of chronic pain, 2nd ed. (Revised). Seattle: IASP Press; 2011. [cited 2018 Jan 14]. Available from: https://www.iasp-pain.org/PublicationsNews/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=1673.

  • Ji R-R, Kohno T, Moore KA, Woolf CJ. Central sensitization and LTP: do pain and memory share similar mechanisms? Trends Neurosci. 2003;26(12):696–705.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kieffer BL, Gavériaux-Ruff C. Exploring the opioid system by gene knockout. Prog Neurobiol. 2002;66(5):285–306.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klein T, Magerl W, Rolke R, Treede R-D. Human surrogate models of neuropathic pain. Pain. 2005;115(3):227–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kosek E, Ordeberg G. Abnormalities of somatosensory perception in patients with painful osteoarthritis normalize following successful treatment. Eur J Pain. 2000;4(3):229–38.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kwan KY, Allchorne AJ, Vollrath MA, Christensen AP, Zhang D-S, Woolf CJ, et al. TRPA1 contributes to cold, mechanical, and chemical nociception but is not essential for hair-cell transduction. Neuron. 2006;50(2):277–89.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lankisch PG, Schirren CA, Kunze E. Undetected fatal acute pancreatitis: why is the disease so frequently overlooked? Am J Gastroenterol. 1991;86(3):322–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Larivière M, Goffaux P, Marchand S, Julien N. Changes in pain perception and descending inhibitory controls start at middle age in healthy adults. Clin J Pain. 2007;23(6):506–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Latremoliere A, Woolf CJ. Central sensitization: a generator of pain hypersensitivity by central neural plasticity. J Pain. 2009;10(9):895–926.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lautenbacher S, Rollman GB. Possible deficiencies of pain modulation in fibromyalgia. Clin J Pain. 1997;13(3):189–96.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Le Bars D, Adam F. Nociceptors and mediators in acute inflammatory pain. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2002;21(4):315–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Le Bars D, Villanueva L, Bouhassira D, Willer JC. Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC) in animals and in man. Patol Fiziol Eksp Ter. 1992;4:55–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesniak A, Lipkowski AW. Opioid peptides in peripheral pain control. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars). 2011;71(1):129–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Duckles SP. Effect of age on vascular content of calcitonin gene-related peptide and mesenteric vasodilator nerve activity in the rat. Eur J Pharmacol. 1993;236(3):373–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lipton RB, Pfeffer D, Newman LC, Solomon S. Headaches in the elderly. J Pain Symptom Manag. 1993;8(2):87–97.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liston R, McLoughlin R, Clinch D. Acute pneumothorax: a comparison of elderly with younger patients. Age Ageing. 1994;23(5):393–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loeser JD. Concepts of pain. In: Stanton-Hicks J, Boaz R, editors. Chronic low back pain. New York: Raven Press; 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnusson KR, Brim BL, Das SR. Selective vulnerabilities of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors during brain aging. Front Aging Neurosci. 2010;2:11.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mantyh PW, Rogers SD, Honore P, Allen BJ, Ghilardi JR, Li J, et al. Inhibition of hyperalgesia by ablation of lamina I spinal neurons expressing the substance P receptor. Science. 1997;278(5336):275–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCaffery M, Beebe A. Pain: clinical manual for nursing practice. St. Louis, Missouri: C.V. Mosby; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehta SS, Siegler EL, Henderson CR, Reid MC. Acute pain management in hospitalized patients with cognitive impairment: a study of provider practices and treatment outcomes. Pain Med. 2010;11(10):1516–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Millan MJ. The induction of pain: an integrative review. Prog Neurobiol. 1999;57(1):1–164.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miró J, Paredes S, Rull M, Queral R, Miralles R, Nieto R, et al. Pain in older adults: a prevalence study in the Mediterranean region of Catalonia. Eur J Pain. 2007;11(1):83–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mori E. Impact of subcortical ischemic lesions on behavior and cognition. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002;977:141–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nieto-Rostro M, Sandhu G, Bauer CS, Jiruska P, Jefferys JGR, Dolphin AC. Altered expression of the voltagegated calcium channel subunit α2δ -1: a comparison between two experimental models of epilepsy and a sensory nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain. Neuroscience. 2014;283:124–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neumann S, Braz JM, Skinner K, Llewellyn-Smith IJ, Basbaum AI. Innocuous, not noxious, input activates PKCgamma interneurons of the spinal dorsal horn via myelinated afferent fibers. J Neurosci. 2008;28(32):7936–44.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ossipov MH, Morimura K, Porreca F. Descending pain modulation and chronification of pain. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2014;8(2):143–51.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Parker J, Frank R, Beck N, Finan M, Walker S, Hewett JE, et al. Pain in rheumatoid arthritis: relationship to demographic, medical, and psychological factors. J Rheumatol. 1988;15(3):433–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patel R, Dickenson AH. Mechanisms of the gabapentinoids and α 2 δ-1 calcium channel subunit in neuropathic pain. Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2016;4(2):e00205.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pau AKH, Croucher R, Marcenes W. Prevalence estimates and associated factors for dental pain: a review. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2003;1(3):209–20.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira LV, de Vasconcelos PP, Souza LAF, de Pereira Gilberto A, Nakatani AYK, Bachion MM. Prevalence and intensity of chronic pain and self-perceived health among elderly people: a population-based study. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2014;22(4):662–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Peters A, Rosene DL. In aging, is it gray or white? J Comp Neurol. 2003;462(2):139–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petrenko AB, Yamakura T, Baba H, Shimoji K. The role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in pain: a review. Anesth Analg. 2003;97(4):1108–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peyron R, Laurent B, García-Larrea L. Functional imaging of brain responses to pain. A review and meta-analysis (2000). Neurophysiol Clin. 2000;30(5):263–88.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pezet S. Neurotrophins and pain. Biol Aujourdhui. 2014;208(1):21–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pezet S, Malcangio M, Lever IJ, Perkinton MS, Thompson SWN, Williams RJ, et al. Noxious stimulation induces Trk receptor and downstream ERK phosphorylation in spinal dorsal horn. Mol Cell Neurosci. 2002;21(4):684–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pickering G. Age differences in clinical pain state. In: Gibson SJ, Weiner DK, editors. Pain in older persons progress in pain research and management. Seattle: IASP Press; 2005. p. 67–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickering G, Pereira B, Dufour E, Soule S, Dubray C. Impaired modulation of pain in patients with postherpetic neuralgia. Pain Res Manag. 2014;19(1):e19–23.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pielsticker A, Haag G, Zaudig M, Lautenbacher S. Impairment of pain inhibition in chronic tension-type headache. Pain. 2005;118(1–2):215–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pieper MJC, van Dalen-Kok AH, Francke AL, van der Steen JT, Scherder EJA, Husebø BS, et al. Interventions targeting pain or behaviour in dementia: a systematic review. Ageing Res Rev. 2013;12(4):1042–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piggott MA, Perry EK, Perry RH, Court JA. [3H]MK-801 binding to the NMDA receptor complex, and its modulation in human frontal cortex during development and aging. Brain Res. 1992;588(2):277–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Purves D, Augustine GJ, Fitzpatrick D, Katz LC, LaMantia A-S, McNamara JO, et al. The physiological basis of pain modulation. 2nd ed. Sunderland (MA): Neuroscience; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raja SN. Peripheral neural mechanisms of nociception. In: Melzack R, Walls PD, editors. Textbook of pain. 4th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 1999. p. 11–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reichstadt J, Depp CA, Palinkas LA, Folsom DP, Jeste DV. Building blocks of successful aging: a focus group study of older adults’ perceived contributors to successful aging. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007;15(3):194–201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rexed B. The cytoarchitectonic organization of the spinal cord in the cat. J Comp Neurol. 1952;96(3):414–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riley JL, King CD, Wong F, Fillingim RB, Mauderli AP. Lack of Endogenous Modulation but Enhanced Decay of Prolonged Heat Pain in Older Adults. Pain. 2010;150(1):153–60.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rittger H, Rieber J, Breithardt OA, Dücker M, Schmidt M, Abbara S, et al. Influence of age on pain perception in acute myocardial ischemia: a possible cause for delayed treatment in elderly patients. Int J Cardiol. 2011;149(1):63–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rustøen T, Wahl AK, Hanestad BR, Lerdal A, Paul S, Miaskowski C. Age and the experience of chronic pain: differences in health and quality of life among younger, middle-aged, and older adults. Clin J Pain. 2005;21(6):513–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sandrini G, Rossi P, Milanov I, Serrao M, Cecchini AP, Nappi G. Abnormal modulatory influence of diffuse noxious inhibitory controls in migraine and chronic tension-type headache patients. Cephalalgia. 2006;26(7):782–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scherder EJA. Pain in people with dementia – its relationship to neuropathology. In: Lautenbacher S, Gibson SJ, editors. Pain in dementia. Seattle: IASP Press; 2017. p. 71–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherder EJA, Plooij B, Achterberg WP, Pieper M, Wiegersma M, Lobbezoo F, et al. Chronic pain in ‘probable’ vascular dementia: preliminary findings. Pain Med. 2015;16(3):442–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scherder EJA, Sergeant JA, Swaab DF. Pain processing in dementia and its relation to neuropathology. Lancet Neurol. 2003;2(11):677–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scherder E, Wolters E, Polman C, Sergeant J, Swaab D. Pain in Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis: its relation to the medial and lateral pain systems. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2005;29(7):1047–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt R, Willis W, editors. Nociceptive specific neurons. In: Encyclopedia of pain [internet]. Berlin: Springer; 2007 [cited 2018 Jan 14]. p. 1379. Available from: https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-540-29805-2_2770

  • Shih Y-YI, Chiang Y-C, Chen J-C, Huang C-H, Chen Y-Y, Liu R-S, et al. Brain nociceptive imaging in rats using (18)f-fluorodeoxyglucose small-animal positron emission tomography. Neuroscience. 2008;155(4):1221–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas E, Peat G, Harris L, Wilkie R, Croft PR. The prevalence of pain and pain interference in a general population of older adults: cross-sectional findings from the North Staffordshire Osteoarthritis Project (NorStOP). Pain. 2004;110(1–2):361–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas T, Robinson C, Champion D, McKell M, Pell M. Prediction and assessment of the severity of post-operative pain and of satisfaction with management. Pain. 1998;75(2):177–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Timmons S, Kingston M, Hussain M, Kelly H, Liston R. Pulmonary embolism: differences in presentation between older and younger patients. Age Ageing. 2003;32(6):601–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Todd AJ. Anatomy of primary afferents and projection neurones in the rat spinal dorsal horn with particular emphasis on substance P and the neurokinin 1 receptor. Exp Physiol. 2002;87(2):245–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tresch DD. Signs and symptoms of heart failure in elderly patients. Am J Geriatr Cardiol. 1996;5(1):27–33.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turner-Stokes L, Sykes N, Silber E. Long-term neurological conditions: management at the interface between neurology, rehabilitation and palliative care. Clin Med. 2008;8(2):186–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Varrone A, Pappatà S, Caracò C, Soricelli A, Milan G, Quarantelli M, et al. Voxel-based comparison of rCBF SPET images in frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease highlights the involvement of different cortical networks. Eur J Nucl Med. 2002;29(11):1447–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verdú E, Ceballos D, Vilches JJ, Navarro X. Influence of aging on peripheral nerve function and regeneration. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2000;5(4):191–208.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson C, Imrie CW. Deaths from acute pancreatitis: why do we miss the diagnosis so frequently? Int J Pancreatol. 1988;3(4):273–81.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woolf CJ, Salter MW. Neuronal plasticity: increasing the gain in pain. Science. 2000;288(5472):1765–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wright D, Barrow S, Fisher AD, Horsley SD, Jayson MI. Influence of physical, psychological and behavioural factors on consultations for back pain. Br J Rheumatol. 1995;34(2):156–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yong H-H, Bell R, Workman B, Gibson SJ. Psychometric properties of the pain attitudes questionnaire (revised) in adult patients with chronic pain. Pain. 2003;104(3):673–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Young Y, Frick KD, Phelan EA. Can successful aging and chronic illness coexist in the same individual? A multidimensional concept of successful aging. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2009;10(2):87–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou H-Y, Chen S-R, Pan H-L. Targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors for treatment of neuropathic pain. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2011;4(3):379–88.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann M. Pathobiology of neuropathic pain. Eur J Pharmacol. 2001;429(1–3):23–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Pharmacology Center, Clinical Research Center Inserm 1405, University Hospital, Medical Faculty, F-63003, Clermont-Ferrand cedex, France

    Elodie Martin

Authors
  1. Elodie Martin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elodie Martin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. CIC Inserm 1405, University Clermont Auvergne and University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Gisèle Pickering

  2. Health Services Research, Maastricht University Health Services Research, Maastricht, Limburg, The Netherlands

    Sandra Zwakhalen

  3. School of Nursing, McMaster University School of Nursing, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Sharon Kaasalainen

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Martin, E. (2018). Pathophysiology of Pain. In: Pickering, G., Zwakhalen, S., Kaasalainen, S. (eds) Pain Management in Older Adults. Perspectives in Nursing Management and Care for Older Adults. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71694-7_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71694-7_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-71693-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-71694-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation