Objective: The aim of this study was to assess spinal nociception and experimental
pain sensitivity in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) compared to
patients with Parkinson´s disease and healthy controls (HC).
Methods: Spinal nociception as measured by the nociceptive flexion reflex
(NFR) and experimental pain sensitivity as measured by heat and electrical pain
thresholds were determined in the medication-defined “off-phase” in nondemented,
non-depressed, probable PSP patients (N=8), PD patients (N=19)
and 17 HC.
Results: PSP patients exhibited lower electrical pain thresholds and a tendency
for lower NFR thresholds as compared to HC. No significant differences
between PSP and PD patients were found with respect to experimentallyinduced
pain. However, significantly less PSP than PD patients reported clinical
pain.
Conclusions: Degeneration of the descending inhibitory control system within
the brainstem in PSP might lead to increased nociception while frontal cortical
deterioration may alter self-estimation of pain.
