A data science approach to the selection of most informative readouts of the human intradermal capsaicin pain model to assess pregabalin effects

• DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13337
• Publication Date: 2019-10-14T07:26:37Z
• Authors: Jörn Lötsch; Carmen Walter; Martin Zunftmeister; Sebastian Zinn; Miriam Wolters; Nerea Ferreiros; Tanja Rossmanith; Bruno G. Oertel; Gerd Geisslinger
• Keywords: Pregabalin; Capsaicin; Intradermal injection

Persistent and, in particular, neuropathic pain is a major healthcare problem with still insufficient pharmacological treatment options. This triggered research activities aimed at finding analgesics novel mechanism of action. Results these efforts will need to pass through the phases drug development, which experimental human models are established components e.g. implemented as chemical hyperalgesia induced by capsaicin. We ranking various readouts capsaicin-based model respect most relevant information about effects potential reference analgesic. In placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study, seven different pain-related were acquired 16 healthy individuals before and after oral administration 300 mg pregabalin. The sizes effect on intradermal injection capsaicin quantified calculating Cohen's d. While four parameters, pregabalin provided small judged values d exceeding 0.2, an item categorization technique computed ABC analysis identified intensities area secondary allodynia suitable parameters quantify analgesic this study provide further support for ability show can serve basis designs studies where inclusion particular planned.