Chronic pain: hypothesized mechanism and rationale for treatment.

Chronic pain is refractory to most currently marketed regimens. Part of the problem in achieving satisfactory results in treatment is understanding the mechanism that causes chronic pain. One hypothesis currently being investigated explores the role of serotonin. As such, products that block the reuptake of serotonin, such as trazodone and amitriptyline, are being studied. The rationale for the current hypothesis, including psychopharmacology and the role of serotonin reuptake blockers, will be reviewed.