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Kersebaum D, Sendel M, Lassen J, Fabig SC, Forstenpointner J, Reimer M, Canaan-Kühl S, Gaedeke J, Rehm S, Gierthmühlen J, Baron R, Hüllemann P. Cold-evoked potentials in Fabry disease and polyneuropathy. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2024; 5:1352711. [PMID: 38812855 PMCID: PMC11133603 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1352711] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Fabry disease (FD) causes cold-evoked pain and impaired cold perception through small fiber damage, which also occurs in polyneuropathies (PNP) of other origins. The integrity of thinly myelinated fibers and the spinothalamic tract is assessable by cold-evoked potentials (CEPs). In this study, we aimed to assess the clinical value of CEP by investigating its associations with pain, autonomic measures, sensory loss, and neuropathic signs. Methods CEPs were examined at the hand and foot dorsum of patients with FD (n = 16) and PNP (n = 21) and healthy controls (n = 23). Sensory phenotyping was performed using quantitative sensory testing (QST). The painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ), FabryScan, and measures for the autonomic nervous system were applied. Group comparisons and correlation analyses were performed. Results CEPs of 87.5% of the FD and 85.7% of the PNP patients were eligible for statistical analysis. In all patients combined, CEP data correlated significantly with cold detection loss, PDQ items, pain, and autonomic measures. Abnormal CEP latency in FD patients was associated with an abnormal heart frequency variability item (r = -0.684; adjusted p = 0.04). In PNP patients, CEP latency correlated significantly with PDQ items, and CEP amplitude correlated with autonomic measures (r = 0.688, adjusted p = 0.008; r = 0.619, adjusted p = 0.024). Furthermore, mechanical pain thresholds differed significantly between FD (gain range) and PNP patients (loss range) (p = 0.01). Conclusions Abnormal CEPs were associated with current pain, neuropathic signs and symptoms, and an abnormal function of the autonomic nervous system. The latter has not been mirrored by QST parameters. Therefore, CEPs appear to deliver a wider spectrum of information on the sensory nervous system than QST alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilara Kersebaum
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
- Schön Clinic Rendsburg, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Rendsburg, Germany
| | - Manon Sendel
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Josephine Lassen
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sophie-Charlotte Fabig
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Julia Forstenpointner
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Maren Reimer
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sima Canaan-Kühl
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Gaedeke
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Rehm
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Janne Gierthmühlen
- Interdisciplinary Pain and Palliative Care Division, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany
| | - Ralf Baron
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Philipp Hüllemann
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
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Perchet C, Hagiwara K, Salameh C, Garcia-Larrea L. Cold-evoked potentials in clinical practice: A head-to-head contrast with laser-evoked responses. Eur J Pain 2023; 27:1006-1022. [PMID: 37278358 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Innocuous cooling of the skin activates cold-specific Aδ fibres, and hence, the recording of cold-evoked potentials (CEPs) may improve the objective assessment of human thermo-nociceptive function. While the feasibility of CEP recordings in healthy humans has been reported, their reliability and diagnostic use in clinical conditions have not been documented. METHODS Here, we report the results of CEP recordings in 60 consecutive patients with suspected neuropathic pain, compared with laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) which are the gold standard for thermo-algesic instrumental assessment. RESULTS CEP recording was a well-tolerated procedure, with only ~15 min of surplus in exam duration. The reproducibility and signal-to-noise ratio of CEPs were lower than those of LEPs, in particular for distal lower limbs (LLs). While laser responses were interpretable in all patients, CEPs interpretation was inconclusive in 5/60 because of artefacts or lack of response on the unaffected side. Both techniques yielded concordant results in 73% of the patients. In 12 patients, CEPs yielded abnormal values while LEPs remained within normal limits; 3 of these patients had clinical symptoms limited to cold sensations, including cold-heat transformation. CONCLUSIONS CEPs appear as a useful technique for exploring pain/temperature systems. Advantages are low cost of equipment and innocuity. Disadvantages are low signal-to-noise ratio for LL stimulation, and sensitivity to fatigue/habituation. Joint recording of CEPs and LEPs can increase the sensitivity of neurophysiological techniques to thin fibre- spinothalamic lesions, in particular, when abnormalities of cold perception predominate. SIGNIFICANCE Recording of cold-evoked potentials is a well-tolerated, inexpensive and easy-to-use procedure that can be helpful in the diagnosis of abnormalities in the thin fibre- spinothalamic pathways. Supplementing LEPs with CEPs allows consolidating the diagnosis and, for some patients suffering from symptoms limited only to cold, CEPs but not LEPs may allow the diagnosis of thin fibre pathology. Optimal CEP recording conditions are important to overcome the low signal-to-noise ratio and habituation phenomena, which are less favourable than with LEPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Perchet
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028, UMR5292, NEUROPAIN, Bron, France
| | - Koichi Hagiwara
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028, UMR5292, NEUROPAIN, Bron, France
- Fukuoka International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Charbel Salameh
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028, UMR5292, NEUROPAIN, Bron, France
| | - Luis Garcia-Larrea
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon CRNL U1028, UMR5292, NEUROPAIN, Bron, France
- Centre D'évaluation et de Traitement de la Douleur, Hôpital Neurologique, Lyon, France
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Courtin AS, Mouraux A. Combining Topical Agonists With the Recording of Event-Related Brain Potentials to Probe the Functional Involvement of TRPM8, TRPA1 and TRPV1 in Heat and Cold Transduction in the Human Skin. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2022; 23:754-771. [PMID: 34863944 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
TRP channels play a central role in the transduction of thermal and nociceptive stimuli by free nerve endings. Most of the research on these channels has been conducted in vitro or in vivo in nonhuman animals and translation of these results to humans must account for potential experimental biases and interspecific differences. This study aimed at evaluating the involvement of TRPM8, TRPA1 and TRPV1 channels in the transduction of heat and cold stimuli by the human thermonociceptive system. For this purpose, we evaluated the effects of topical agonists of these 3 channels (menthol, cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin) on the event-related brain potentials (ERPs) elicited by phasic thermal stimuli (target temperatures: 10°C, 42°C, and 60°C) selected to activate cold Aδ thermoreceptors, warm sensitive C thermoreceptors and heat sensitive Aδ polymodal nociceptors. Sixty-four participants were recruited, 16 allocated to each agonist solution group (20% menthol, 10% cinnamaldehyde, .025% capsaicin and 1% capsaicin). Participants were treated sequentially with the active solution on one forearm and vehicle only on the other forearm for 20 minutes. Menthol decreased the amplitude and increased the latency of cold and heat ERPs. Cinnamic aldehyde decreased the amplitude and increased the latency of heat but not cold ERPs. Capsaicin decreased the amplitude and increased the latency of heat ERPs and decreased the amplitude of the N2P2 complex of the cold ERPs without affecting the earlier N1 wave or the latencies of the peaks. These findings are compatible with previous evidence indicating that TRPM8 is involved in innocuous cold transduction and that TRPV1 and TRPA1 are involved in noxious heat transduction in humans. PERSPECTIVE: By chemically modulating TRPM8, TRPA1 and TRPV1 reactivity (key molecules in the transduction of temperature) and assessing how this affected EEG responses to the activation of cold thermoreceptors and heat nociceptors, we aimed at confirming the role of these channels in a functional healthy human model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur S Courtin
- Institute of NeuroScience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - André Mouraux
- Institute of NeuroScience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Cold evoked potentials elicited by rapid cooling of the skin in young and elderly healthy individuals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4137. [PMID: 35264694 PMCID: PMC8907280 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07967-x] [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: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cold-evoked potentials (CEPs) constitute a novel electrophysiological tool to assess cold-specific alterations in somatosensory function. As an important step towards the clinical implementation of CEPs as a diagnostic tool, we evaluated the feasibility and reliability of CEPs in response to rapid cooling of the skin (-300 °C/s) and different stimulation sites in young and elderly healthy individuals. Time-locked electroencephalographic responses were recorded from at vertex in fifteen young (20-40 years) and sixteen elderly (50-70 years), individuals in response to 15 rapid cold stimuli (-300 °C/s) applied to the skin of the hand dorsum, palm, and foot dorsum. High CEP proportions were shown for young individuals at all sites (hand dorsum/palm: 100% and foot: 79%) and elderly individuals after stimulation of the hand dorsum (81%) and palm (63%), but not the foot (44%). Depending on the age group and stimulation site, test-retest reliability was "poor" to "substantial" for N2P2 amplitudes and N2 latencies. Rapid cooling of the skin enables the recording of reliable CEPs in young individuals. In elderly individuals, CEP recordings were only robust after stimulation of the hand, but particularly challenging after stimulation of the foot. Further improvements in stimulation paradigms are warranted to introduce CEPs for clinical diagnostics.
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Lithfous S, Trocmet L, Pebayle T, Després O, Dufour A. Investigating cold Aδ fibers in the 0-40 °C temperature range: A quantitative sensory testing and evoked potentials study. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 134:81-87. [PMID: 34991016 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.11.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the activity of cold Aδ-type fibers to thermal stimuli above human skin temperature (i.e., >32 °C). METHODS Twenty young adults aged 20-24 years participated in this study. The cold-detection threshold was measured from a basal temperature of 40 °C using an adaptive staircase method with high-speed cooling ramps (170 °C/s). A total of 150 stimulations at 36 °C, 32 °C, 28 °C, 24 °C, 20 °C, 16 °C, 12 °C, 8 °C, 4 °C and 0 °C (15 each) were performed. After each stimulation, subjects estimated the intensity of cold sensation using a visual analog scale, and evoked potentials were recorded. RESULTS The average cold-detection threshold was 35 °C (SD = 1.8). Regardless of the stimulation temperature, subjects reported a cooling sensation. Interestingly, reported increments in sensation were prominent for stimulation temperatures between 32 °C and 20 °C, but below this latter temperature sensations varied only very slightly. Evoked potential recordings revealed that decreasing temperature stimuli from a baseline of 40 °C induced a previously unreported N2P2 component with a mean N2 peak latency of 275 ms (SD = 13.1). The peak-to-peak amplitude of the N2P2 complex increased as the intensity of the cooling stimulation increased, exhibiting a profile comparable to subject-perceived intensity, namely, a major increase up to 20 °C, followed by a plateau to 0 °C. CONCLUSIONS The cool sensations reported by subjects were likely conveyed by Aδ fibers rather than by slow-conducting C fibers. Moreover, our rapid stimulation technique starting from a high temperature (40 °C) was capable of a) generating cold sensations at stimulation temperatures between 36 °C and 32 °C, and b) revealing the optimal activation range of Aδ fibers (20 °C-28 °C). Any decrease in temperature below this range did not result in a significant increase in sensation and thus probably did not evoke a significant increase in Aδ fiber activity. SIGNIFICANCE The regular assessment of cold sensation in peripheral neuropathies (i.e., with temperatures below 32 °C), could be completed by investigating cold-detection thresholds at temperatures ranging from 40 °C to 32 °C. Indeed, the absolute threshold of cold perception appears to start at 35 °C. Changes in the activation threshold of cold fibers were more easily detectable at this level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ségolène Lithfous
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7364 LNCA, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Louise Trocmet
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7364 LNCA, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thierry Pebayle
- Centre d'Investigations Neurocognitives et Neurophysiologiques, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMS 3489 CI2N, 21 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France
| | - Olivier Després
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7364 LNCA, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - André Dufour
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMR 7364 LNCA, 12 rue Goethe, 67000 Strasbourg, France; Centre d'Investigations Neurocognitives et Neurophysiologiques, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, UMS 3489 CI2N, 21 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France.
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Fabig SC, Kersebaum D, Lassen J, Sendel M, Jendral S, Muntean A, Baron R, Hüllemann P. A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:3104-3115. [PMID: 34740042 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system. METHODS In order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference. RESULTS We found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings. CONCLUSION In this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application. SIGNIFICANCE Established and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie-Charlotte Fabig
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus D, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
| | - Dilara Kersebaum
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus D, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Josephine Lassen
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus D, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Manon Sendel
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus D, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Swantje Jendral
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus D, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexandra Muntean
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus D, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Ralf Baron
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus D, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Philipp Hüllemann
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus D, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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Rosner J, Scheuren PS, Stalder SA, Curt A, Hubli M. Pinprick Evoked Potentials-Reliable Acquisition in Healthy Human Volunteers. PAIN MEDICINE 2021; 21:736-746. [PMID: 31216028 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnz126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pinprick evoked potentials (PEPs) represent a novel tool to assess the functional integrity of mechano-nociceptive pathways with a potential toward objectifying sensory deficits and gain seen in neurological disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of PEPs with respect to age, stimulation site, and skin type. METHODS Electroencephalographic responses evoked by two pinprick stimulation intensities (128 mN and 256 mN) applied at three sites (hand dorsum, palmar digit II, and foot dorsum) were recorded in 30 healthy individuals. Test-retest reliability was performed for the vertex negative-positive complex amplitudes, N-latencies, and pain ratings evoked by the 256mN stimulation intensity. RESULTS Feasibility of PEP acquisition was demonstrated across age groups, with higher proportions of evoked potentials (>85%) for the 256mN stimulation intensity. Reliability analyses, that is, Bland-Altman and intraclass correlation coefficients, revealed poor to excellent reliability upon retest depending on the stimulation sites. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the reliability of PEP acquisition from cervical and lumbar segments across clinically representative age groups. Future methodological improvements might further strengthen PEP reliability in order to complement clinical neurophysiology of sensory nerve fibers by a more specific assessment of mechano-nociceptive pathways. Beyond looking at sensory deficits, PEPs may also become applicable to revealing signs of central sensitization, complementing the clinical assessment of mechanical hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Rosner
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paulina Simonne Scheuren
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Anja Stalder
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michèle Hubli
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Forstenpointner J, Berry D, Baron R, Borsook D. The cornucopia of central disinhibition pain - An evaluation of past and novel concepts. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 145:105041. [PMID: 32800994 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Central disinhibition (CD), as applied to pain, decreases thresholds of endogenous systems. This provokes onset of spontaneous or evoked pain in an individual beyond the ability of the nervous system to inhibit pain resulting from a disease or tissue damage. The original CD concept as proposed by Craig entails a shift from the lateral pain pathway (i.e. discriminative pain processing) towards the medial pain pathway (i.e. emotional pain processing), within an otherwise neurophysiological intact environment. In this review, the original CD concept as proposed by Craig is extended by the primary "nociceptive pathway damage - CD" concept and the secondary "central pathway set point - CD". Thereby, the original concept may be transferred into anatomical and psychological non-functional conditions. We provide examples for either primary or secondary CD concepts within different clinical etiologies as well as present surrogate models, which directly mimic the underlying pathophysiology (A-fiber block) or modulate the CD pathway excitability (thermal grill). The thermal grill has especially shown promising advancements, which may be useful to examine CD pathway activation in the future. Therefore, within this topical review, a systematic review on the thermal grill illusion is intended to stimulate future research. Finally, the authors review different mechanism-based treatment approaches to combat CD pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Forstenpointner
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany; Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Delany Berry
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ralf Baron
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - David Borsook
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Leone C, Di Lionardo A, Diotallevi G, Mollica C, Di Pietro G, Di Stefano G, La Cesa S, Cruccu G, Truini A. Conduction velocity of the cold spinal pathway in healthy humans. Eur J Pain 2020; 24:1923-1931. [PMID: 32735696 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the conduction velocity of the cold spinal pathway in healthy humans. METHODS Using a cold stimulator consisting of micro-Peltier elements that was able to produce steep cooling ramps up to -300°C/s, we recorded cold-evoked potentials after stimulation of the dorsal midline at C5, T2, T6 and T10 vertebral levels and calculated the conduction velocity of the cold spinal pathway. In all participants, we used laser stimulation to deliver painful heat (Aδ-fibres-mediated) and warm (C-fibres-mediated) stimuli to the same sites in order to compare the conduction velocity of the cold spinal pathway with that of the nociceptive and warm spinal pathways. RESULTS Cold stimulation evoked large-amplitude vertex potentials from all stimulation sites. The mean conduction velocity of the cold spinal pathway was 12.0 m/s, which did not differ from that of the nociceptive spinal pathway (10.5 m/s). The mean conduction velocity of the warm spinal pathway was 2.0 m/s. DISCUSSION This study provides previously unreported findings regarding cold spinal pathway conduction velocity in humans that may be useful in the assessment of spinal cord lesions as well as in intraoperative monitoring during spinal surgery. SIGNIFICANCE This neurophysiological study provides previously unreported findings on cold spinal pathway conduction velocity in healthy humans. Cold-evoked potentials may represent an alternative to laser-evoked potential recording, useful to assess spinothalamic tract in patients with spinal cord lesions and monitor patients during spinal surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Leone
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Cristina Mollica
- Department of Methods and Models for Economics, Territory and Finance, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Silvia La Cesa
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Cruccu
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Truini
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Mulders D, de Bodt C, Lejeune N, Courtin A, Liberati G, Verleysen M, Mouraux A. Dynamics of the perception and EEG signals triggered by tonic warm and cool stimulation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231698. [PMID: 32324752 PMCID: PMC7179871 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermosensation is crucial for humans to probe the environment and detect threats arising from noxious heat or cold. Over the last years, EEG frequency-tagging using long-lasting periodic radiant heat stimulation has been proposed as a means to study the cortical processes underlying tonic heat perception. This approach is based on the notion that periodic modulation of a sustained stimulus can elicit synchronized periodic activity in the neuronal populations responding to the stimulus, known as a steady-state response (SSR). In this paper, we extend this approach using a contact thermode to generate both heat- and cold-evoked SSRs. Furthermore, we characterize the temporal dynamics of the elicited responses, relate these dynamics to perception, and assess the effects of displacing the stimulated skin surface to gain insight on the heat- and cold-sensitive afferents conveying these responses. Two experiments were conducted in healthy volunteers. In both experiments, noxious heat and innocuous cool stimuli were applied during 75 seconds to the forearm using a Peltier-based contact thermode, with intensities varying sinusoidally at 0.2 Hz. Displacement of the thermal stimulation on the skin surface was achieved by independently controlling the Peltier elements of the thermal probe. Continuous intensity ratings to sustained heat and cold stimulation were obtained in the first experiment with 14 subjects, and the EEG was recorded in the second experiment on 15 subjects. Both contact heat and cool stimulation elicited periodic EEG responses and percepts. Compared to heat stimulation, the responses to cool stimulation had a lower magnitude and shorter latency. All responses tended to habituate along time, and this response attenuation was most pronounced for cool compared to warm stimulation, and for stimulation delivered using a fixed surface compared to a variable surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dounia Mulders
- ICTEAM institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- IONS institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Cyril de Bodt
- ICTEAM institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Lejeune
- IONS institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arthur Courtin
- IONS institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Giulia Liberati
- IONS institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michel Verleysen
- ICTEAM institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - André Mouraux
- IONS institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Wu M, Qi H. Using passive BCI to online control the air conditioner for obtaining the individual specific thermal comfort . ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2019; 2019:3139-3142. [PMID: 31946553 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2019.8856497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Thermal comfort has an important impact on human health and work efficiency, which has attracted more attention in recent years. Although electroencephalogram (EEG) has been used to evaluate thermal comfort, it has not been reported to be used in controlling the air conditioner. This paper attempted to construct a passive EEG based brain-computer interface (BCI) system to regulate the room temperature. During the experiment, EEG signals in two conditions, thermal comfort and hot discomfort, were collected to build a discriminant model. And then, an online experiment was conducted to verify the thermal comfort effect of the BCI temperature control. Results showed that all the five subjects could obtain a better thermal sensation under the BCI control in an overheated environment. This study indicated the feasibility of indoor temperature control technology based on physiological signals. It can provide a new way to obtain personalized thermal comfort.
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Després O, Lithfous S, Pebayle T, Casadio C, Dufour A. Effects of thermosensory aging well demonstrated by cold stimulations with high temporal resolution. Muscle Nerve 2019; 60:141-146. [PMID: 30945307 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The method of limits (MLi) is the most commonly used paradigm to measure the threshold of thermal stimuli. However, the threshold measured by MLi is dependent on reaction time (RT). Because RT in adults increases with age, the inclusion of RT in the MLi paradigm may result in an overestimation of thermal threshold in the older individuals. METHODS A device with a very rapid cooling rate (300°C/s) was employed to measure cool thresholds by using the method of levels (MLe), a method independent of RT, in 11 older patients and 14 younger adults. RESULTS Compared with the MLi, the MLe resulted in a greater than 2°C gain in threshold measurement accuracy in older patients. DISCUSSION The MLe confirmed that cool perception threshold is dependent on age. The use of MLe provides new opportunities for the study of mechanisms underlying age-associated alterations in thermal perception. Muscle Nerve 60: 141-146, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Després
- Laboratory of Cognitive and Adaptive Neuroscience, UMR 7364 CNRS - UNISTRA, 12 rue Goethe, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ségolène Lithfous
- Laboratory of Cognitive and Adaptive Neuroscience, UMR 7364 CNRS - UNISTRA, 12 rue Goethe, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Thierry Pebayle
- Center for Neurocognitive and Neurophysiological Investigations, UMS 3489 CNRS - UNISTRA, Strasbourg, France
| | - Claudia Casadio
- Center for Neurocognitive and Neurophysiological Investigations, UMS 3489 CNRS - UNISTRA, Strasbourg, France
| | - André Dufour
- Laboratory of Cognitive and Adaptive Neuroscience, UMR 7364 CNRS - UNISTRA, 12 rue Goethe, 67000, Strasbourg, France
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Hüllemann P, Nerdal A, Sendel M, Dodurgali D, Forstenpointner J, Binder A, Baron R. Cold‐evoked potentials versus contact heat‐evoked potentials—Methodological considerations and clinical application. Eur J Pain 2019; 23:1209-1220. [DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Hüllemann
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology University clinic Schleswig‐Holstein Kiel Germany
| | - Annika Nerdal
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology University clinic Schleswig‐Holstein Kiel Germany
| | - Manon Sendel
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology University clinic Schleswig‐Holstein Kiel Germany
| | - Dilara Dodurgali
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology University clinic Schleswig‐Holstein Kiel Germany
| | - Julia Forstenpointner
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology University clinic Schleswig‐Holstein Kiel Germany
| | - Andreas Binder
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology University clinic Schleswig‐Holstein Kiel Germany
| | - Ralf Baron
- Division of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Department of Neurology University clinic Schleswig‐Holstein Kiel Germany
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Rosner J, Rinert J, Ernst M, Curt A, Hubli M. Cold evoked potentials: Acquisition from cervical dermatomes. Neurophysiol Clin 2019; 49:49-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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Abstract
Clinical neurophysiologic investigation of pain pathways in humans is based on specific techniques and approaches, since conventional methods of nerve conduction studies and somatosensory evoked potentials do not explore these pathways. The proposed techniques use various types of painful stimuli (thermal, laser, mechanical, or electrical) and various types of assessments (measurement of sensory thresholds, study of nerve fiber excitability, or recording of electromyographic reflexes or cortical potentials). The two main tests used in clinical practice are quantitative sensory testing and pain-related evoked potentials (PREPs). In particular, PREPs offer the possibility of an objective assessment of nociceptive pathways. Three types of PREPs can be distinguished depending on the type of stimulation used to evoke pain: laser-evoked potentials, contact heat evoked potentials, and intraepidermal electrical stimulation evoked potentials (IEEPs). These three techniques investigate both small-diameter peripheral nociceptive afferents (mainly Aδ nerve fibers) and spinothalamic tracts without theoretically being able to differentiate the level of lesion in the case of abnormal results. In routine clinical practice, PREP recording is a reliable method of investigation for objectifying the existence of a peripheral or central lesion or loss of function concerning the nociceptive pathways, but not the existence of pain. Other methods, such as nerve fiber excitability studies using microneurography, more directly reflect the activities of nociceptive axons in response to provoked pain, but without detecting or quantifying the presence of spontaneous pain. These methods are more often used in research or experimental study design. Thus, it should be kept in mind that most of the results of neurophysiologic investigation performed in clinical practice assess small fiber or spinothalamic tract lesions rather than the neuronal mechanisms directly at the origin of pain and they do not provide objective quantification of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pascal Lefaucheur
- Excitabilité Nerveuse et Thérapeutique, Faculté de Médecine de Créteil, Université Paris-Est-Créteil, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France; Service de Physiologie-Explorations Fonctionnelles, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.
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Garcia-Larrea L, Hagiwara K. Electrophysiology in diagnosis and management of neuropathic pain. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2019; 175:26-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2018.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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De Keyser R, van den Broeke EN, Courtin A, Dufour A, Mouraux A. Event-related brain potentials elicited by high-speed cooling of the skin: A robust and non-painful method to assess the spinothalamic system in humans. Clin Neurophysiol 2018; 129:1011-1019. [PMID: 29567583 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.02.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether cool-evoked potentials (CEP) elicited by brisk innocuous cooling of the skin could serve as an alternative to laser-evoked potentials (LEP), currently considered as the best available neurophysiological tool to assess the spinothalamic tract and diagnose neuropathic pain. METHODS A novel device made of micro-Peltier elements and able to cool the skin at -300 °C/s was used to record CEPs elicited by stimulation of the hand dorsum in 40 healthy individuals, characterize the elicited responses, and assess their signal-to-noise ratio. Various stimulation surfaces (40 mm2 and 120 mm2), cooling ramps (-200 °C/s and -133 °C/s) and temperature steps (20 °C, 15 °C, 10 °C, 5 °C) were tested to identify optimal stimulation conditions. RESULTS CEPs were observed in all conditions and subjects, characterized by a biphasic negative-positive complex maximal at the vertex (Cz), peaking 190-400 ms after stimulus onset, preceded by a negative wave over central-parietal areas contralateral to the stimulated hand. Their magnitude was modulated by stimulation surface, cooling ramp and temperature step. CONCLUSION Rapid innocuous skin cooling elicits robust CEPs at latencies compatible with the conduction velocity of Aδ-fibers. SIGNIFICANCE CEPs can be a complementary tool to the recording of LEPS for assessing the function of small-diameter Aδ-fibers and the spinothalamic tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxane De Keyser
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Arthur Courtin
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - André Dufour
- Centre d'investigations neurocognitives et neurophysiologiques (CI2N), CNRS, University of Strasbourg, France
| | - André Mouraux
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
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Fardo F, Vinding MC, Allen M, Jensen TS, Finnerup NB. Delta and gamma oscillations in operculo-insular cortex underlie innocuous cold thermosensation. J Neurophysiol 2017; 117:1959-1968. [PMID: 28250150 PMCID: PMC5411475 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00843.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Using magnetoencephalography, we identified spatiotemporal features of central cold processing, with respect to the time course, oscillatory profile, and neural generators of cold-evoked responses in healthy human volunteers. Cold thermosensation was associated with low- and high-frequency oscillatory rhythms, both originating in operculo-insular regions. These results support further investigations of central cold processing using magnetoencephalography or EEG and the clinical utility of cold-evoked potentials for neurophysiological assessment of cold-related small-fiber function and damage. Cold-sensitive and nociceptive neural pathways interact to shape the quality and intensity of thermal and pain perception. Yet the central processing of cold thermosensation in the human brain has not been extensively studied. Here, we used magnetoencephalography and EEG in healthy volunteers to investigate the time course (evoked fields and potentials) and oscillatory activity associated with the perception of cold temperature changes. Nonnoxious cold stimuli consisting of Δ3°C and Δ5°C decrements from an adapting temperature of 35°C were delivered on the dorsum of the left hand via a contact thermode. Cold-evoked fields peaked at around 240 and 500 ms, at peak latencies similar to the N1 and P2 cold-evoked potentials. Importantly, cold-related changes in oscillatory power indicated that innocuous thermosensation is mediated by oscillatory activity in the range of delta (1–4 Hz) and gamma (55–90 Hz) rhythms, originating in operculo-insular cortical regions. We suggest that delta rhythms coordinate functional integration between operculo-insular and frontoparietal regions, while gamma rhythms reflect local sensory processing in operculo-insular areas. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using magnetoencephalography, we identified spatiotemporal features of central cold processing, with respect to the time course, oscillatory profile, and neural generators of cold-evoked responses in healthy human volunteers. Cold thermosensation was associated with low- and high-frequency oscillatory rhythms, both originating in operculo-insular regions. These results support further investigations of central cold processing using magnetoencephalography or EEG and the clinical utility of cold-evoked potentials for neurophysiological assessment of cold-related small-fiber function and damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fardo
- Danish Pain Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; .,Interacting Minds Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mikkel C Vinding
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Swedish National Facility for Magnetoencephalography, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Micah Allen
- Wellcome Trust Center for Neuroimaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, United Kingdom; and
| | - Troels Staehelin Jensen
- Danish Pain Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nanna Brix Finnerup
- Danish Pain Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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