NEUROPEPTIDE FF-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN HUMAN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OFCHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS AND HEALTHY CONTROLS

Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) is a neuropeptide with some antiopioid characte rs found in several mammalian species. In human brain it might be an i mportant pain-regulating peptide. Using a specific and sensitive radio immunoassay we found a mean concentration of NPFF in human cerebrospin al fluid (CSF) of healthy volunteers of 1.6 +/- 1.1 pg/ml (n = 19) and in chronic pain (CPD) patients of 1.4 +/- 1.2 pg/ml (n = 16). The NPF F concentrations in CSF and plasma did not correlate. There was no dif ference in the NPFF concentrations in CSF and plasma between CPD patie nts and healthy controls. NPFF in CPD patients did not correlate signi fically with any pain characteristic. This study provides evidence for the presence of NPFF in human brain, but does not support the hypothe sis that chronic pain is a consequence of elevated production of NPFF. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.