Karimi-Haghighi Saeideh, Shaygan Maryam
Department of Neuroscience and Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Mol Neurobiol. 2025 Mar 10. doi: 10.1007/s12035-025-04814-8.
Chronic pain presents as a complex condition encompassing sensory (Zhang Z et al. Cell Rep 12;752-759, 2015) and emotional components, often accompanied by anxiety, depression, insomnia, and cognitive impairment. These factors significantly hinder daily activities and rehabilitation efforts. The widespread prevalence of chronic pain imposes substantial clinical, societal, and economic burdens. While current analgesics have limitations and associated side effects such as tolerance, dependency, cognitive deficits, and a narrow therapeutic window, the search for new analgesic options remains imperative. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), a key modulator in pain processing pathways, plays a crucial role in executive functions. This review specifically focuses on the cognitive impairments associated with chronic pain and highlights the pivotal role of the ECS in the cognitive aspects of pain. Additionally, the effectiveness of cannabinoid-based medications in improving executive functions in patients with chronic pain is evaluated.
慢性疼痛表现为一种复杂的病症，包含感觉成分（Zhang Z等人，《细胞报告》12；752 - 759，2015年）和情感成分，常伴有焦虑、抑郁、失眠和认知障碍。这些因素严重阻碍日常活动和康复进程。慢性疼痛的广泛流行带来了巨大的临床、社会和经济负担。尽管目前的镇痛药存在局限性及相关副作用，如耐受性、依赖性、认知缺陷和治疗窗狭窄等问题，但寻找新的镇痛选择仍然势在必行。内源性大麻素系统（ECS）作为疼痛处理通路中的关键调节因子，在执行功能中发挥着至关重要的作用。本综述特别关注与慢性疼痛相关的认知障碍，并强调ECS在疼痛认知方面的关键作用。此外，还评估了基于大麻素的药物在改善慢性疼痛患者执行功能方面的有效性。
