Depressions increase physical pain?

Does depression increase the physical pain sensation? Italen scientists have found first evidence.

(21.06.2010) Depression can increase the pain perception of those affected. Neurologists have found that depression not only alters the processing of pain impulses but may intensify the sensation of pain.

In the Italian study, new evidence was found that depression not only changes the processing of pain impulses, but also intensifies the pain perception of the patients. According to the scientists, the reason for this is that neurotransmitters, which are responsible for emotions in the brain, are also used in part for physical pain perception. If these impulses are disturbed, the physical sensation of pain may intensify.

In the study, researchers compared the pain and pain tolerance of 25 subjects whose major depressive disorder remained untreated. The data were then compared to a control group of healthy volunteers. During the course of the study, participants were given minimal electric shock on the hands and feet. The group with untreated depression showed a much earlier pain sensation and felt the current impulses much more unpleasant than the control group of healthy subjects.

The results of the study were presented by Prof. Michele Tinazzi at the 20th Annual Meeting of the European Neurological Society in Berlin. If the theory is correct that regions in the brain are used in part for the perception of pain and emotions at the same time, so-called serotonin-norepinephrine drugs could fight both in the future, according to Tinazzi. However, further studies would have to follow, which examined these observations in detail. (Sb)