Wang Q, Mei Y, Tao Y, Ao J, Zhang Z, Yuan J, Hong X, Zeng F, Jin Z. Functional connectivity characteristics of the brain network involved in prickle perception of single fiber stimulation.
Skin Res Technol 2024;
30:e13626. [PMID:
38385847 PMCID:
PMC10883244 DOI:
10.1111/srt.13626]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The complex network connections, information transmission and organization play key roles in brain cognition on sensory stimulation. Previous studies showed that several brain regions of somatosensory, motor, emotional, cognitive, etc. are linked to fabric-evoked prickle. But the functional connectivity characteristics of the brain network involved in prickle perception is still unclear.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In the present study, resting state fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) with functional connectivity analysis was adopted to build the initial brain functional network, and task fMRI with psychophysiological interaction analysis was employed to investigate modulation features of prickling task to functional connections in the brain network.
RESULTS
The results showed that, in resting state, six groups or sub-networks can be identified in the prickle network, and when the subjects performed the prickling task, functional connectivity strength between some seed regions (e.g., somatosensory regions and precuneus, emotional regions and the prefrontal cortex, etc.) in the network increased.
CONCLUSION
Combining resting-state fMRI with task fMRI is a feasible and promising method to study functional connectivity characteristics of the brain network involved in prickle perception. It is inferred that the "itch" ingredient of prickle sensation was transmitted from somatosensory cortices to precuneus, and emotional attribute (e.g., pain) from somatosensory cortices to the prefrontal cortex and at last to emotional regions.
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