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Yang L, He P, Zhang L, Li K. Altered resting-state brain functional activities and networks in Crohn's disease: a systematic review. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1319359. [PMID: 38332859 PMCID: PMC10851432 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1319359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Crohn's disease (CD) is a non-specific chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract and is a phenotype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The current study sought to compile the resting-state functional differences in the brain between CD patients and healthy controls. Methods The online databases PubMed, Web of Science Core, and EMBASE were used to find the published neuroimage studies. The search period was from the beginning through December 15, 2023. The predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria allowed for the identification of the studies. The studies were assembled by two impartial reviewers, who also assessed their quality and bias. Results This review comprised 16 resting-state fMRI studies in total. The included studies generally had modest levels of bias. According to the research, emotional processing and pain processing were largely linked to increased or decreased brain activity in patients with CD. The DMN, CEN, and limbic systems may have abnormalities in patients with CD, according to research on brain networks. Several brain regions showed functional changes in the active CD group compared to the inactive CD group and the healthy control group, respectively. The abnormalities in brain areas were linked to changes in mood fluctuations (anxiety, melancholy) in patients with CD. Conclusion Functional neuroimaging helps provide a better understanding of the underlying neuropathological processes in patients with CD. In this review, we summarize as follows: First, these findings indicate alterations in brain function in patients with CD, specifically affecting brain regions associated with pain, emotion, cognition, and visceral sensation; second, disease activity may have an impact on brain functions in patients with CD; and third, psychological factors may be associated with altered brain functions in patients with CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yang
- Radiology Department, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
- Department of Radiology Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Peipei He
- Radiology Department, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Lingqin Zhang
- Radiology Department, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Kang Li
- Radiology Department, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
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2
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Rogers SK, Ahamadeen N, Chen CX, Mosher CE, Stewart JC, Rand KL. Dysmenorrhea and psychological distress: a meta-analysis. Arch Womens Ment Health 2023; 26:719-735. [PMID: 37632569 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-023-01365-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Dysmenorrhea is characterized by pelvic pain associated with menstruation. Similar to people with other pain conditions, females who experience dysmenorrhea report increased psychological distress. However, the pooled magnitude of this association has not been quantified across studies. Accordingly, this meta-analytic review quantifies the magnitude of the associations between dysmenorrhea severity and psychological distress. We conducted a systematic search of the literature using PsycINFO, PubMed, CINHAL, Embase, and Web of Science. Analyzed studies provided observational data on dysmenorrhea severity and anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and/or global psychological distress. A total of 44 studies were included, and three random-effects meta-analyses were conducted, with average pooled effect sizes calculated using Person's r. We found significant, positive associations between measures of dysmenorrhea severity and measures of depressive symptoms (r = 0.216), anxiety symptoms (r = 0.207), and global psychological distress (r = 0.311). Our review suggests that females with greater dysmenorrhea severity experience greater psychological distress. Future directions include defining a clinically meaningful dysmenorrhea severity threshold, understanding the mechanisms and directionality underlying the dysmenorrhea-psychological distress relationship, and designing and testing interventions to jointly address dysmenorrhea and psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Rogers
- School of Science, Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford St., LD 113A, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Naheeda Ahamadeen
- School of Science, Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford St., LD 113A, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Chen X Chen
- School of Nursing, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Catherine E Mosher
- School of Science, Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford St., LD 113A, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Jesse C Stewart
- School of Science, Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford St., LD 113A, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Kevin L Rand
- School of Science, Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 N. Blackford St., LD 113A, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
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3
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Liu Z, Li Z, Meng Q, Gu Z, Cui J. Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Landscape and Hotspots on Dysmenorrhea: Where are We Now? J Pain Res 2023; 16:269-285. [PMID: 36744113 PMCID: PMC9891078 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s396083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological condition among women of childbearing age and remains a challenging public health issue. This study aimed to visualize profiles and hotspots in dysmenorrhea research through a bibliometric analysis to deepen the understanding of knowledge in this field. Methods Articles and reviews on dysmenorrhea published from 2000 to 2021 were collected. We summarized standard bibliometric indicators. Publications were systematically assessed in terms of country, institution, author, journal, reference, and keywords using Citespace, VOSviewer, Bibliometric, and an online platform. Besides, correlation analyses of country-specific characteristics and bibliometric indicators were performed. Results 3407 publications were included. Dysmenorrhea-related publications have been increasing steadily annually. China and the United States were the most productive and academically influential countries, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed that economic power is an essential factor influencing scientific activity. However, collaboration in dysmenorrhea research remained weak. Natl Yang Ming Univ and Vercellini P were the most productive institution and influential author, respectively. A significant proportion of dysmenorrhea research was published in high-impact journals and it was explored at a multidisciplinary level. Current research topics focus on two primary areas: (1) pathophysiology, such as pathogenesis, oxidative stress, and functional connectivity, and (2) public health impacts, such as quality of life, burden, depression, and exercise. Conclusion Dysmenorrhea research has received extensive attention from scholars and is rapidly evolving. Improved collaboration and interdisciplinary exploration may advance this field. Public health research and pathophysiological exploration of dysmenorrhea are current research hotspots and may also be a focus of research in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhuo Li
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zibo, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenpeng Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinxiu Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Jinxiu Cui, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, No. 661 Huanghe 2nd Road, Binzhou, Shandong Province, 256603, People’s Republic of China, Email
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Sato K, Seto K. The effect of Dioscorea esculenta powder on prostaglandin E 2 and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 levels, menstrual pain, and premenstrual syndrome in young women: A randomized double-blind controlled trial. Nutr Health 2022:2601060221130889. [PMID: 36217795 DOI: 10.1177/02601060221130889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Diosgenin, extracted from Dioscorea esculenta, has been reported to decrease prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels and any other inflammatory cytokine in rodents. However, it is still unclear whether D. esculenta intake suppressed PGE2 production and menstrual pain and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in younger female. Aim This study aims to investigate the effect of D. esculenta intake on PGE2 and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (COX-2) levels and on menstrual pain and PMS in young women. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Methods Ten healthy young females were administered either a placebo or D. esculenta (300 mg/day) for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period. Fasting blood sample was taken from the fingertips on the second day of menstrual cycle began and obtained 24h before the last D. esculenta to avoid acute effects. Participants then switched treatments for 4 weeks as a second trial. Plasma PGE2 and COX-2 levels were measured before and after each trial. The visual analogue scale (VAS), McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), and Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) were also evaluated. The study was set and conducted from 2019 to 2020. Results PGE2 and COX-2 levels significantly decreased after D. esculenta intake compared to placebo (p = 0.038, p = 0.042 each). The VAS and DRSP scores were also significantly lower after D. esculenta intake (p = 0.046, p = 0.035 each). Conclusion Four-week D. esculenta intake suppressed PGE2 and COX-2 levels resulting in an improvement in PMS symptoms and menstrual pain in young women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Sato
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, 12885Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kaori Seto
- Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, 12885Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
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Yang H, Li X, Guo XL, Zhou J, Shen ZF, Liu LY, Wei W, Yang L, Yu Z, Chen J, Liang FR, Yu SY, Yang J. Moxibustion for primary dysmenorrhea: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study exploring the alteration of functional connectivity strength and functional connectivity. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:969064. [PMID: 36110091 PMCID: PMC9469737 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.969064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionPrimary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is a common gynecological disease and chronic pain disorder. Moxibustion, a form of traditional Chinese medicine therapy, has proven to be effective for PDM. However, the central mechanisms of PDM and moxibustion for PDM are still unclear. This study aims to explore the potential central mechanism of PDM and clarify the possible mechanism of moxibustion for relieving pain.Materials and methodsA total of 23 PDM patients and 23 matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. For PDM patients, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected pre- and post-moxibustion treatment of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles, respectively. For HCs, rs-fMRI data were collected in the baseline. The resting-state functional connectivity strength (rs-FCS) analysis and the resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) analysis based on the region of interest (ROI) were combined to be conducted.ResultsCompared to HCs, PDM patients showed weaker rs-FCS in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). After the moxibustion treatment, rs-FCS in the left IFG was increased with clinical improvement. Then, the left IFG was chosen as ROI, and the rs-FC analysis was conducted. It showed that the left IFG rs-FC in the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)/middle cingulate cortex (MCC), the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)/precuneus (PCU), and the left parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) decreased after moxibustion treatment, most of which belong to the default mode network (DMN).ConclusionOur results highlight the role of the left IFG and the DMN in PDM. Specifically, the central mechanism of moxibustion for analgesia may be related to modulating the disorders of the reappraisal and processing of pain stimuli through influencing the cognition of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao-li Guo
- Chengdu Xi’nan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhi-fu Shen
- Department of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Li-ying Liu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Chengdu Xi’nan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zheng Yu
- College of Medical Information and Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Chen
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fan-rong Liang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Si-yi Yu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Acupuncture & Brain Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Yang,
| | - Jie Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Chengdu Xi’nan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
- Si-yi Yu,
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Yu S, Wei W, Liu L, Guo X, Shen Z, Tian J, Zeng F, Liang F, Yang J. The hypertrophic amygdala shape associated with anxiety in patients with primary dysmenorrhea during pain-free phase: insight from surface-based shape analysis. Brain Imaging Behav 2022; 16:1954-1963. [PMID: 35871437 PMCID: PMC9581870 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-022-00664-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is highly associated with mood symptoms. However, the neuropathology of these comorbidities is unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the structural changes in the amygdala of patients with PDM during the pain-free phase using a surface-based shape analysis. Methods Forty-three PDM patients and forty healthy controls were recruited in the study, and all participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging scans during their periovulatory phase. FMRIB’s Integrated Registration and Segmentation Tool (FIRST) was employed to assess the subcortical volumetric and surface alterations in patients with PDM. Moreover, correlation and mediation analyses were used to detect the clinical significance of the subcortical morphometry alteration. Results PDM patients showed hypertrophic alteration of the amygdala in the left superficial nuclei and right basolateral and superficial nuclei but not for the whole amygdala volume. The hypertrophic amygdala was associated with disease duration, pain severity and anxiety symptoms during the menstrual period. Furthermore, the hypertrophic left amygdala could mediate the association between disease duration and anxiety severity. Conclusions The results of the current study demonstrated that the localized amygdala shape hypertrophy was present in PDM patients even in the pain-free phase. In addition, the mediator role of the hypertrophic amygdala indicates the potential target of amygdala for anxiety treatment in PDM treatment in the pain-free phase. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11682-022-00664-3.
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Klusmann H, Schulze L, Engel S, Bücklein E, Daehn D, Lozza-Fiacco S, Geiling A, Meyer C, Andersen E, Knaevelsrud C, Schumacher S. HPA axis activity across the menstrual cycle - a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 66:100998. [PMID: 35597328 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.100998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Differential HPA axis function has been proposed to underlie sex-differences in mental disorders; however, the impact of fluctuating sex hormones across the menstrual cycle on HPA axis activity is still unclear. This meta-analysis investigated basal cortisol concentrations as a marker for HPA axis activity across the menstrual cycle. Through a systematic literature search of five databases, 121 longitudinal studies were included, summarizing data of 2641 healthy, cycling participants between the ages of 18 and 45. The meta-analysis showed higher cortisol concentrations in the follicular vs. luteal phase (dSMC = 0.12, p =.004, [0.04 - 0.20]). Comparisons between more precise cycle phases were mostly insignificant, aside from higher concentrations in the menstrual vs. premenstrual phase (dSMC = 0.17, [0.02 - 0.33], p =.03). In all included studies, nine samples used established cortisol parameters to indicate HPA axis function, specifically diurnal profiles (k = 4) and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) (k = 5). Therefore, the meta-analysis highlights the need for more rigorous investigation of HPA axis activity and menstrual cycle phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Klusmann
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Lars Schulze
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sinha Engel
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Elise Bücklein
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology and Education, Universität Ulm, Lise-Meitner-Str. 16, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
| | - Daria Daehn
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Serena Lozza-Fiacco
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Crossings Building B, 2218 Nelson Highway, 27517 Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - Angelika Geiling
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Caroline Meyer
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Elizabeth Andersen
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Crossings Building B, 2218 Nelson Highway, 27517 Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sarah Schumacher
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, HMU Health and Medical University, Olympischer Weg 1, 14471 Potsdam, Germany.
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8
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Zhang Y, Huang Y, Liu N, Wang Z, Wu J, Li W, Xia J, Liu Z, Li Y, Hao Y, Huo J. Abnormal interhemispheric functional connectivity in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: a resting-state functional MRI study. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2022; 12:1958-1967. [PMID: 35284283 PMCID: PMC8899927 DOI: 10.21037/qims-21-731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 04/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroimaging studies have confirmed that functional connectivity (FC) disruption of pain-related brain networks may contribute to the cerebral pathophysiology of primary dysmenorrhea (PDM). However, it remains unclear whether FC of symmetrical regions of bilateral hemispheres associated with PDM is abnormal. This functional MRI study aimed to explore the changes of voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) and seed-based FC in patients with PDM. METHODS A cohort comprising patients with PDM (n=35) and healthy controls (HCs) (n=41) underwent resting-state functional MRI scans during their menstrual phase. Interhemispheric FC was compared between the two groups using VMHC analysis. Brain areas with significant group differences in VMHC were selected as seed regions for FC analysis. Correlation analysis was also conducted to examine the relationship between abnormal connectivity of brain regions and clinical measures of pain and anxiety. RESULTS Compared with healthy individuals, patients with PDM showed significantly enhanced VMHC in the bilateral orbital part of the superior frontal gyrus and the bilateral middle frontal gyrus. Subsequent seed-based FC analysis showed enhanced connectivity between the aforementioned areas and pain-related brain structures. Hyperconnectivity between the left middle frontal gyrus and the right cingulate gyrus in patients was negatively correlated with an increase in the visual analogue score (VAS) for pain (r=-0.341, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that ongoing dysmenorrhea is accompanied by abnormal interhemispheric functional coordination and enhanced connectivity in pain-related regions, attention networks, and the reward system. These findings may provide a novel perspective on the central mechanism of pain caused by PDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yiran Huang
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion & Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ni Liu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenjia Wang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Junchen Wu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenxun Li
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion & Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Xia
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion & Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhidan Liu
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion & Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yingqiu Li
- School of Acupuncture Moxibustion & Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Hao
- Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwei Huo
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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The effects of long-term menstrual pain on pain empathy in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Pain 2021; 162:2051-2059. [PMID: 33492034 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is not only a painful experience but also affects the psychological and affective states of women. Neuroimaging studies have revealed shared neural substrates for somatic and empathic pains in healthy subjects. However, little is known about the relationship between pain intensity and pain empathy in pain disorders. The cyclic nature of PDM makes it a unique model for investigating this issue during a patients' pain phase. To study how long-term pain modulates empathy for pain, T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained in 39 PDM patients and 41 matched female healthy controls during menstruation. Subjects viewed static visual stimuli of the limbs submitted to painful and nonpainful stimulation to solicit empathy. The visual analogue scale for pain intensity and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index for empathic ability were also obtained. We found that women with PDM exhibited higher pain empathy compared with controls. The anterior insula and brain regions related to sensory discrimination with decreased gray matter volumes were not only shared but also acted as a mediator between pain intensity and pain empathy in PDM patients. In addition, the general linear modeling analysis revealed that long-term pain experience was a more important factor to pain empathy compared with pain intensity. This indicated that long-term pain may cause maladaptive brain structural plasticity, which may further affect psychological adjustment to bring patients more vivid pain when they witness suffering and distress in others.
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Wu X, Yu W, Tian X, Liang Z, Su Y, Wang Z, Li X, Yang L, Shen J. Altered Posterior Cerebellar Lobule Connectivity With Perigenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea. Front Neurol 2021; 12:645616. [PMID: 34239492 PMCID: PMC8258113 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.645616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential connectivity mechanism between the cerebellum and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the cerebellar structure in primary dysmenorrhea (PDM). Methods: We applied the spatially unbiased infratentorial template (SUIT) of the cerebellum to obtain anatomical details of cerebellar lobules, upon which the functional connectivity (FC) between the cerebellar lobules and ACC subregions was analyzed and the gray matter (GM) volume of cerebellar lobules was measured by using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) in 35 PDM females and 38 age-matched healthy females. The potential relationship between the altered FC or GM volume and clinical information was also evaluated in PDM females. Results: PDM females showed higher connectivity between the left perigenual ACC (pACC) and lobule vermis_VI, between the left pACC and left lobule IX, and between right pACC and right cerebellar lobule VIIb than did the healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, no altered GM volume was found in PDM females. No significant correlation was found between altered cerebellum–ACC FC and the clinical variables in the PDM females. Conclusion: PDM females have abnormal posterior cerebellar connectivity with pACC but no abnormal structural changes. ACC–cerebellar circuit disturbances might be involved in the PDM females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Wu
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Yu
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Education, Jinggangshan University, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xuwei Tian
- Department of Radiology, First People's Hospital of Kashgar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Zhiying Liang
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun Su
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihui Wang
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiumei Li
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Yang
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Shen
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Wu X, Yu W, Hu H, Su Y, Liang Z, Bai Z, Tian X, Yang L, Shen J. Dynamic network topological properties for classifying primary dysmenorrhoea in the pain-free phase. Eur J Pain 2021; 25:1912-1924. [PMID: 34008281 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary dysmenorrhoea (PDM) is known to alter brain static functional activity. This study aimed to explore the dynamic topological properties (DTP) of dynamic brain functional network in women with PDM in the pain-free phase and their performance in distinguishing PDM in the pain-free phase from healthy controls. METHODS Thirty-five women with PDM and 38 healthy women without PDM were included. A dynamic brain functional network was constructed using the slide-window approach. The stability (TP-Stab) and variability (TP-Var) of the DTP of the dynamic functional network were computed using the graph-theory method. A support vector machine (SVM) was used to evaluate the performance of DTP in identifying PDM in the pain-free phase. RESULTS Compared with healthy controls, women with PDM had not only lower TP-Stab in global DTP, which included cluster clustering coefficient (Cp ), characteristic path length (Lp ), global efficiency (Eg ) and local efficiency (Eloc ), but also lower TP-Stab and higher TP-Var in nodal DTP (nodal efficiency, Enod ), mainly in the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, parahippocampal regions and insula. The TP-Stab and TP-Var were significantly correlated with psychological variables, that is positive emotions, sense of control and meaningful existence. SVM analysis showed that the DTP could identify PDM in the pain-free phase from healthy controls with an accuracy of 79.31%, sensitivity of 82.61% and specificity of 76%. CONCLUSIONS Women with PDM in the pain-free phase have altered global DTP and nodal DTP, mainly involving pain-related neurocircuits. The highly variable brain network is helpful for identifying PDM in the pain-free phase. SIGNIFICANCE This study shows that women with primary dysmenorrhoea (PDM) have decreased stability of dynamic network topological properties (DTP) and increased DTP variability in the pain-free phase. The altered DTP can be used to identify PDM in the pain-free phase. These findings demonstrate the presence of unstable characteristics in the whole network and disrupted pain-related neurocircuits, which might be used as potential classifiers for PDM in the pain-free phase. This study improves our knowledge of the brain mechanisms underlying PDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Wu
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Yu
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Education, Jinggangshan University, Jiangxi, China
| | - Huijun Hu
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun Su
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiying Liang
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Bai
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuwei Tian
- Department of Radiology, First People's Hospital of Kashgar, Xinjiang, China
| | - Li Yang
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Shen
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Geng B, Gao M, Wu J, Yang G, Liu C, Piao R, Zhang S, Xu K, Yuan J, Liu P. Smaller volume and altered functional connectivity of the amygdala in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation. Eur Radiol 2021; 31:8429-8437. [PMID: 33928418 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-021-08002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze the abnormal amygdala structure and function in lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) patients compared with healthy controls (HCs). METHODS Forty-four lifelong PE patients and thirty-one HCs were enrolled in this study. Each subject was diagnosed with PE using a Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) score. Based on t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis, the voxel-based morphometry and functional connectivity (FC) analyses were applied to evaluate brain structural and functional changes by using T1-weighted and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. RESULTS Lifelong PE patients had decreased gray matter volume in the bilateral amygdala and increased FC between the amygdala and precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and middle temporal cortex (MTC), as well as decreased FC between the amygdala and precentral gyrus, insula, and inferior frontal gyrus. Moreover, significantly negative correlations between the IELT score and the mean z-score from amygdala-MTC (r = -0.49) and amygdala-PCC (r = -0.48) FC were found in lifelong PE patients. CONCLUSIONS Our study investigated the abnormal amygdala-related structure and connectivity patterns in PE patients, which might provide novel perspective for understanding the crucial role of the amygdala in the neural mechanism of PE. KEY POINTS • As one of the most common diseases in men, PE may be related to abnormal brain mechanisms. • Functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging used to explore amygdala abnormalities in PE patients. • The correlation between clinical scores and functional connectivity was used to assess the reasonability of the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Geng
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710071, Shaanxi, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ming Gao
- Xi'An DaXing Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China.,Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women and Children Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an JiaoTong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiayu Wu
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710071, Shaanxi, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710071, Shaanxi, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chengxiang Liu
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710071, Shaanxi, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruiqing Piao
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710071, Shaanxi, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuming Zhang
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710071, Shaanxi, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710071, Shaanxi, China.,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianlin Yuan
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Life Science Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710071, Shaanxi, China. .,Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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13
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Clemenza S, Vannuccini S, Capezzuoli T, Meleca CI, Pampaloni F, Petraglia F. Is primary dysmenorrhea a precursor of future endometriosis development? Gynecol Endocrinol 2021; 37:287-293. [PMID: 33569996 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2021.1878134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is the most common gynecologic disorder during adolescence and it is characterized by crampy lower abdominal pain that occurs during menstruation. Secondary dysmenorrhea, in contrast, has the same clinical features but occurs in women with a disease that could account for their symptoms (endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease). Endometriosis is the most common cause of secondary dysmenorrhea and it should be considered in patients with persistent and clinically significant dysmenorrhea despite treatment. It is often diagnosed after a long delay, increasing the likelihood of pain chronicity and fertility problems at a later age. Women who suffer from dysmenorrhea in adolescence have higher risk of endometriosis in future. The open question is if endometriosis was already present at the onset of dysmenorrhea but undiagnosed or if PD favors subsequent development of endometriosis-associated pain. Since PD is associated with higher risk for developing chronic pain state and shares some of the same pain pathways of endometriosis (prostaglandins overproduction, inflammation, peripheral sensitization, central sensitization and abnormal stress responses), a correlation between PD and endometriosis is suggested. To know whether it is a risk factor for the development of endometriosis-associated pain may provide an opportunity for early intervention and prevention. The present review aims to investigate the clinical and pathogenetic features of PD and endometriosis in order to identify a possible association between the two conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Clemenza
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Vannuccini
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Tommaso Capezzuoli
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Immacolata Meleca
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Pampaloni
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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14
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Stadtler H, Shaw G, Neigh GN. Mini-review: Elucidating the psychological, physical, and sex-based interactions between HIV infection and stress. Neurosci Lett 2021; 747:135698. [PMID: 33540057 PMCID: PMC9258904 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Stress is generally classified as any mental or emotional strain resulting from difficult circumstances, and can manifest in the form of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other neurocognitive disorders. Neurocognitive disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD are large contributors to disability worldwide, and continue to affect individuals and communities. Although these disorders affect men and women, women are disproportionately represented among those diagnosed with affective disorders, a result of both societal gender roles and physical differences. Furthermore, the incidence of these neurocognitive disorders is augmented among People Living with HIV (PLWH); the physical ramifications of stress increase the likelihood of HIV acquisition, pathogenesis, and treatment, as both stress and HIV infection are characterized by chronic inflammation, which creates a more opportunistic environment for HIV. Although the stress response is facilitated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, when the response involves a psychological component, additional brain regions are engaged. The impact of chronic stress exposure and the origin of individual variation in stress responses and resilience are at least in part attributable to regions outside the primary stress circuity, including the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. This review aims to elucidate the relationship between stress and HIV, how these interact with sex, and to understand the physical ramifications of these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Stadtler
- Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Gladys Shaw
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Gretchen N Neigh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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15
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Wang C, Liu Y, Dun W, Zhang T, Yang J, Wang K, Mu J, Zhang M, Liu J. Effects of repeated menstrual pain on empathic neural responses in women with primary dysmenorrhea across the menstrual cycle. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:345-356. [PMID: 33030796 PMCID: PMC7775997 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is cyclic menstrual pain in the absence of pelvic anomalies, and it is thought to be a sex-hormone related disorder. Existing study has focused on the effects of menstrual cramps on brain function and structure, ignoring the psychological changes associated with menstrual pain. Here we examined whether pain empathy in PDM differs from healthy controls (HC) using task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Fifty-seven PDM women and 53 matched HC were recruited, and data were collected at the luteal and menstruation phases, respectively. During fMRI scans, participants viewed pictures displaying exposure to painful situations and pictures without any pain cues and assessed the level of pain experienced by the person in the picture. Regarding the main effect of the pain pictures, our results showed that compared to viewing neutral pictures, viewing pain pictures caused significantly higher activation in the anterior insula (AI), anterior cingulate cortex, and the left inferior parietal lobule; and only the right AI exhibited a significant interaction effect (group × picture). Post-hoc analyses confirmed that, relative to neutral pictures, the right AI failed to be activated in PDM women viewing painsss pictures. Additionally, there was no significant interaction effect between the luteal and menstruation phases. It suggests that intermittent pain can lead to abnormal empathy in PDM women, which does not vary with the pain or pain-free phase. Our study may deepen the understanding of the relationship between recurrent spontaneous pain and empathy in a clinical disorder characterized by cyclic episodes of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Center for Brain Imaging, School of Life Science and TechnologyXidian UniversityXi'anChina
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular & Neuroimaging,Ministry of EducationXi'anChina
| | - Yang Liu
- Center for Brain Imaging, School of Life Science and TechnologyXidian UniversityXi'anChina
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular & Neuroimaging,Ministry of EducationXi'anChina
| | - Wanghuan Dun
- Department of Medical Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Tian Zhang
- Center for Brain Imaging, School of Life Science and TechnologyXidian UniversityXi'anChina
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular & Neuroimaging,Ministry of EducationXi'anChina
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Junya Mu
- Center for Brain Imaging, School of Life Science and TechnologyXidian UniversityXi'anChina
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular & Neuroimaging,Ministry of EducationXi'anChina
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Jixin Liu
- Center for Brain Imaging, School of Life Science and TechnologyXidian UniversityXi'anChina
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular & Neuroimaging,Ministry of EducationXi'anChina
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16
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Li WC, Chao HT, Lin MW, Shen HD, Chen LF, Hsieh JC. Neuroprotective effect of Val variant of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on hippocampus is modulated by the severity of menstrual pain. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2021; 30:102576. [PMID: 33561695 PMCID: PMC7873439 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) refers to menstrual pain of which the pathological cause(s) are unknown. This study examined the associations among BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms, menstrual pain severity, and hippocampal volume among young PDM subjects. We recruited 115 PDM subjects, including severe cases (n = 66) and moderate cases (n = 44), and 117 young females (aged 20-30 years) as a control group (CON) for BDNF Val66Met genotyping and MRI examination. The assessment of hippocampal volume involved analysis at various anatomical resolutions, i.e., whole hippocampal volume, hippocampal subfields, and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) volumetric analysis. Two-way ANOVA analyses with planned contrasts and Bonferroni correction were conducted for the assessment of hippocampal volume. Linear regression was used to test for BDNF Val66Met Val allele dosage-dependent effects. We observed no main effects of group, genotype, or group-genotype interactions on bilateral whole hippocampal volumes. Significant interactions between PDM severity and BDNF Val66Met genotype were observed in the right whole hippocampus, subiculum, and molecular layer. Post-hoc analysis revealed that the average hippocampal volume of Val/Val moderate PDM subjects was greater than that of Val/Val severe PDM subjects. Note that right hippocampal volume was greater in the Val/Val group than in the Met/Met group, particularly in the right posterior hippocampal region. Dosage effect analysis revealed a positive dosage-dependent relationship between the Val allele and volume of the right whole hippocampus, subiculum, molecular layer, and VBM-defined right posterior hippocampal region in the moderate PDM subgroup only. These findings indicate that Val/Val PDM subjects are resistant to intermittent moderate pain-related stress, whereas Met carrier PDM subjects are susceptible. When confronted with years of repeated PDM stress, the hippocampus can undergo differential structural changes in accordance with the BDNF genotype and pain severity. This triad study on PDM (i.e., combining genotype with endophenotype imaging results and clinical phenotypes), underscores the potential neurobiological consequences of PDM, which may prefigure in neuroimaging abnormalities associated with various chronic pain disorders. Our results provide evidence for Val allele dosage-dependent protective effects on the hippocampal structure; however, in cases of the Val variant, these effects were modulated in accordance with the severity of menstrual pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chi Li
- Institute of Brain Science, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Tai Chao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Wei Lin
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Der Shen
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Division of Basic Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Fen Chen
- Institute of Brain Science, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Jen-Chuen Hsieh
- Institute of Brain Science, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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17
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Dun W, Fan T, Wang Q, Wang K, Yang J, Li H, Liu J, Liu H. Association Between Trait Empathy and Resting Brain Activity in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea During the Pain and Pain-Free Phases. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:608928. [PMID: 33324267 PMCID: PMC7725799 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.608928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Empathy refers to the ability to understand someone else's emotions and fluctuates with the current state in healthy individuals. However, little is known about the neural network of empathy in clinical populations at different pain states. The current study aimed to examine the effects of long-term pain on empathy-related networks and whether empathy varied at different pain states by studying primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) patients. Multivariate partial least squares was employed in 46 PDM women and 46 healthy controls (HC) during periovulatory, luteal, and menstruation phases. We identified neural networks associated with different aspects of empathy in both groups. Part of the obtained empathy-related network in PDM exhibited a similar activity compared with HC, including the right anterior insula and other regions, whereas others have an opposite activity in PDM, including the inferior frontal gyrus and right inferior parietal lobule. These results indicated an abnormal regulation to empathy in PDM. Furthermore, there was no difference in empathy association patterns in PDM between the pain and pain-free states. This study suggested that long-term pain experience may lead to an abnormal function of the brain network for empathy processing that did not vary with the pain or pain-free state across the menstrual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanghuan Dun
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tongtong Fan
- Department of Medical Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qiming Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Brain Imaging, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Medical Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jixin Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Center for Brain Imaging, Xidian University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hongjuan Liu
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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