Background:
Emotional disorders are common comorbid affectations that exacerbate the severity and persistence of chronic pain. Specifically, depressive symptoms can lead to an excessive duration and intensity of pain. The use of antidepressant drugs is associated with pain reduction. The recent development of animal models has accelerated studies focusing on the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain and depression comorbidity.
Aim:
This review provides an overview of the comorbid relationship of chronic pain and depression, the clinical and pre-clinical studies performed on the neurobiological aspects of pain and depression, and the use of antidepressants as analgesics.
Method:
A systematic search of literature databases was conducted according to the pre-defined criteria. The authors independently conducted a focused analysis of the full-text articles.
Results:
Studies suggest that pain and depression are highly-intertwined and may co-exacerbate physical and psychological symptoms. One important biochemical basis for pain and depression focuses on the serotonergic and norepinephrine system, which have been shown to play an important role in this comorbidity. Brain structures that codify pain are also involved in mood. It is evident that using serotonergic and norepinephrine antidepressants are strategies commonly employed to mitigate pain.
Conclusion:
Literature indicates that pain and depression impact each other and play a prominent role in the development and maintenance of other chronic symptoms. Antidepressants continue to be a major therapeutic tool for managing chronic pain. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are more effective in reducing pain than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
The aim of this review is to assess the different treatments and therapeutic protocols used for neonatal asphyxia in animal production. Perinatal asphyxia is considered to be one of the main non-infectious causes of neonatal mortality in the majority of domestic mammals. However, its incidence in intensive animal production is increasing because of a series of implemented strategies aimed at improving and increasing production. For example, through the application of genetics, an increase in size and weight in newly born animals has been achieved. Nevertheless, this has resulted in a larger incidence of dystocia associated with oxygen restriction to thefoetus, which elicits metabolic and respiratory acidosis. Furthermore, aside from immediate financial implications when it comes to production, it also has an impact on the welfare of mother and offspring. Regarding the field of animal perinatology, several therapeutic strategies using respiratory and hormonal stimulants, as well as energetic supplements have been evaluated with the aim of preventing perinatal asphyxia and treating neonates with the condition, and also to diminish the incidence of stillbirths associated with it. However, during the last decades this condition has persisted mainly in porcine, equine, ovine and bovine production; for this reason, it continues to be studied extensively.
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