Neuropathic Pain: Pathophysiology, Current Treatment, and Future Directions

Objective Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Current primary treatments cause drowsiness, impair locomotor ability and may produce respiratory depression and addiction. Material and Methods We performed a literature review to discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of neuropathic pain (NP). Also, we covered the emerging biological targets for the design of novel agents for the management of this condition till the date of September 1st, 2025. Results In this review, we give a brief overview on the epidemiology, etiology, and the pathophysiology of NP. We also cover the diagnosis and the current treatment strategies. Finally, this review aims at providing the reader with a comprehensive update on the status of the emerging treatment strategies. Conclusion NP is a multifaceted disease. We believe that with the admit of artificial intelligence and high throughput screening techniques the introduction of novel drugs for this condition is eminent.