Gray matter volume reduction reflects chronic pain in trigeminal neuralgia

Aims: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is caused by an ecstatic blood vessel affecting the trigeminal nerve at the root entry zone of the brain stem. Recent evidence suggests an additional central component within the trigeminal pain-processing network in the pathophysiology of TN. Objective: To detect gray matter changes in patients with TN compared to healthy controls and to identify specific brain areas that may be associated with the development and persistence of this debilitating facial pain condition. Methods: Sixty patients with classical TN were compared to 49 healthy controls using magnetic resonance imaging…