The effect of glycerol on autotomy. An experimental model of neuralgia pain.

Autotomy in nerve injured rats has been put forward as an animal model in a broad range of chronic neuralgic pain. We have examined the effect of glycerol, a new and promising therapeutic agent for trigeminal neuralgia, on this animal model. A single dose of glycerol, alcohol or saline was injected directly into experimental sciatic nerve neuromas in rats via a chronically implanted cannula. Injections were made either at the time of nerve injury or 2 weeks afterwards. Both forms of glycerol treatment caused a significant reduction in autotomy behavior relative to saline. Alcohol also suppressed autotomy, but it was less effective than glycerol.