Table 1.
Key parameters of the German Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS) protocol for Quantitative Sensory Testing[47].
| Sensory Stimulus | Fibre Type | Putative Animal Model Correlate | Example of Behavioural Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | ||
| Cold Detection Threshold (CDT) | Aδ | Electrophysiological surrogate? | |
| Warm Detection Threshold (WDT) | C | Electrophysiological surrogate? | |
| Thermal Sensory Limen (TSL) & Paradoxical Heat Sensation | Aδ & C | ? | |
| Cold Pain Threshold (CPT) | Aδ? C? | Established - behavioural | Plantar cold assay (Brenner)1 |
| Heat Pain Threshold (HPT) | Aδ? C? | Established - behavioural | Plantar radiant heat assay (Hargreaves)2 |
| Mechanical Detection Threshold (MDT) | Aβ | Electrophysiological surrogate? | |
| Mechanical Pain Threshold (MPT) | Aδ | Established - behavioural | |
| Mechanical Pain Sensitivity (MPS) | Aδ Stimulus - Response | Electrophysiological surrogate? Behavioural -possible, needs development | Monofilament (von Frey) or pinprick |
| Dynamic Mechanical Allodynia (ALL) | Aβ Stimulus - Response | Electrophysiological surrogate? Behavioural -possible, needs development | Brush-evoked limb withdrawal3 |
| Windup Ratio (WUR) | Aδ or C Temporal Summation | Electrophysiological surrogate | |
| Vibration Detection Threshold (VDT) | Aβ | Electrophysiological surrogate? | |
| Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) | Aδ? C? | Established - behavioural | Randall-Sellito device4 |
| Additional items | |||
| Hyperpathia | ? | Electrophysiological surrogate? | |
| Conditioned Pain Modulation | Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Control | Electrophysiological surrogate |
Brenner DS, Golden JP, Gereau RWIV. A novel behavioral assay for measuring cold sensation in mice. PLOS ONE 2012;7(6):e39765.
Field MJ, Bramwell S, Hughes J, Singh L. Detection of static and dynamic components of mechanical allodynia in rat models of neuropathic pain: are they signalled by distinct primary sensory neurones? Pain 1999;83(2):303-311.
Hargreaves KM, Dubner R, Brown F, Flores C, Joris J. A new and sensitive method for measuring thermal nociception in cutaneous hyperalgesia. Pain 1988;32(1):77-88.
Randall LO, Selitto JJ. A method for measurement of analgesic activity on inflamed tissue. Archives internationales de pharmacodynamie et de therapie 1957;111(4):409-419.
Column three indicates the correlate for each parameter that could be measured in an animal model, and the current status thereof. For the purpose of this review, additional domains representing hyperpathia and conditioned pain modulation have been added.