Kim NY, et al. - In this investigation, researchers analyzed the effectiveness of duloxetine (a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) in reducing pain severity in patients with central poststroke pain (CPSP), defined as spontaneous pain within an area of the body corresponding to the brain lesion that emerged at or after stroke onset. Due to adverse effects (nausea, agitation, and somnolence) four patients were withdrawn from a total of 37. A mean elapsed time of 3.1 ± 4.1 years was seen for observed symptoms since onset of stroke. A significant difference was found between the mean values of Short-form MC Gill Pain Questionnaire and NRS scores at baseline and those at the follow-up assessment. Between baseline and the third week, 26 of the patients showed at least a 30% reduction of NRS. Overall, findings suggested that duloxetine may be effective in CPSP management.