Biomarkers in temporomandibular disorder and trigeminal neuralgia: A conceptual framework for understanding chronic pain

ABSTRACT

In this review, we will explore the use of biomarkers in chronic pain, using the examples of two prototypical facial pain conditions: trigeminal neuralgia and temporomandibular disorder. We will discuss the main categories of biomarkers and identify various genetic/genomic, molecular, neuroradiological, and psychophysical biomarkers in both facial pain conditions, using them to compare and contrast features of neuropathic, nonneuropathic, and mixed pain. By using two distinct model facial pain conditions to explore pain biomarkers, we aim to familiarize readers with different types of biomarkers currently being studied in chronic pain and explore how these biomarkers may be used to develop new precision medicine approaches to pain diagnosis, prognosis, and management.

RÉSUMÉ

Dans cette revue, nous examinerons l'utilisation de biomarqueurs dans la douleur chronique, en utilisant les exemples de deux affections prototypiques de douleur faciale : la névralgie du trijumeau et le trouble temporomandibulaire. Nous discuterons des principales catégories de biomarqueurs et identifierons divers biomarqueurs géétiques/génomiques, moléculaires, neuroradiologiques et psychophysiques pour ces deux pathologies, en les utilisant pour comparer et distinguer les caractéristiques de la douleur neuropathique, non neuropathique et mixte. En utilisant deux modèles distincts de douleur faciale pour explorer les biomarqueurs de la douleur, nous visons à familiariser les lecteurs avec différents types de biomarqueurs actuellement étudiés dans la douleur chronique et à examiner comment ces biomarqueurs peuvent être utilisés pour développer de nouvelles approches de médecine de précision pour le diagnostic, le pronostic et la prise en charge de la douleur.

KEYWORDS:

• facial pain
• trigeminal neuralgia
• temporomandibular disorder
• biomarkers
• chronic pain
• precision medicine

Disclosure of Interest

This work was not supported by any grants. Dr. Doshi is supported by a research grant from the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research. Dr. Nixdorf has no conflicts of interest to declare. Dr. Campbell consults for PainCare and Adynxx, Inc. Dr. Raja has received research grants from Medtronic Inc., and has served as an advisory board member for Aptinyx and Lexicon Pharma.

Additional information

Funding

This work was not supported by any grants. Dr. Doshi is supported by a research grant from the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research. Dr. Campbell consults for PainCare and Adynxx, Inc. Dr. Raja has received research grants from Medtronic Inc. and has served as an advisory board member for Aptinyx and Lexicon Pharma.