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Henrich MC, Steffen Frahm K, Coghill RC, Kæseler Andersen O. Spinal nociception is facilitated during cognitive distraction. Neuroscience 2022; 491:134-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Deldar Z, Blanchette I, Piché M. Reduction of Pain and Spinal Nociceptive Transmission by Working Memory is Load Dependant. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2021; 22:797-805. [PMID: 33577995 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) engagement produces pain inhibition. However, it remains unclear whether higher WM load increases this effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between WM load and pain inhibition by WM and examine the contribution of cerebrospinal mechanism. Thirty-eight healthy volunteers were assigned to one of 2 n-back groups for which WM load was different (2-back or 3-back). The experimental protocol comprised 5 counterbalanced conditions (0-back, n-back, pain, 0-back with pain, and n-back with pain). Pain and the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) were evoked by transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the sural nerve. Pain was significantly different between conditions, but not between n-back groups. Both the 0-back and n-back tasks reduced pain compared with pain alone, but the n-back task produced stronger pain inhibition compared with the 0-back task. NFR amplitude was significantly different between conditions but not between n-back groups. NFR was inhibited by the 0-back and n-back tasks, with no difference between the 2 tasks. These findings indicate that pain inhibition by WM is increased by WM load, but only to a certain point. NFR inhibition by WM suggests that inhibition of pain by WM depends, at least in part, on cerebrospinal mechanism. PERSPECTIVE: This behavioral and electrophysiological study shows that engaging in a cognitive task reduces pain by decreasing spinal nociceptive transmission, depending on task difficulty. These findings may yield better nonpharmacological pain therapies based on individual differences in working memory performance and capacity as well as several factors that regulate working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoha Deldar
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada; CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | | | - Mathieu Piché
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada; CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.
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Henrich MC, Frahm KS, Andersen OK. Tempo-spatial integration of nociceptive stimuli assessed via the nociceptive withdrawal reflex in healthy humans. J Neurophysiol 2021; 126:373-382. [PMID: 34191609 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00155.2021] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial information of nociceptive stimuli applied in the skin of healthy humans is integrated in the spinal cord to determine the appropriate withdrawal reflex response. Double-simultaneous stimulus applied in different skin sites are integrated, eliciting a larger reflex response. The temporal characteristics of the stimuli also modulate the reflex, e.g., by temporal summation. The primary aim of this study was to investigate how the combined tempo-spatial aspects of two stimuli are integrated in the nociceptive system. This was investigated by delivering single- and double-simultaneous stimulation and sequential stimulation with different interstimulus intervals (ISIs ranging 30-500 ms) to the sole of the foot of 15 healthy subjects. The primary outcome measure was the size of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) recorded from the tibialis anterior (TA) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Pain intensity was measured using a numerical rating scale (NRS) scale. Results showed spatial summation in both TA and BF when delivering simultaneous stimulation. Simultaneous stimulation provoked larger reflexes than sequential stimulation in TA, but not in BF. Larger ISIs elicited significantly larger reflexes in TA, whereas the opposite pattern occurred in BF. This differential modulation between proximal and distal muscles suggests the presence of spinal circuits eliciting a functional reflex response based on the specific tempo-spatial characteristics of a noxious stimulus. No modulation was observed in pain intensity ratings across ISIs. Absence of modulation in the pain intensity ratings argues for an integrative mechanism located within the spinal cord governed by a need for efficient withdrawal from a potentially harmful stimulus.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Tempo-spatial integration of electrical noxious stimuli was studied using the nociceptive withdrawal reflex and a perceived intensity. Tibialis anterior and biceps femoris muscles were differentially modulated by the temporal characteristics of the stimuli and stimulated sites. These findings suggest that spinal neurons are playing an important role in the tempo-spatial integration of nociceptive information, leading to a reflex response that is distributed across multiple spinal cord segments and governed by an efficient defensive withdrawal strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio Carlos Henrich
- Integrative Neuroscience, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Ken Steffen Frahm
- Integrative Neuroscience, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Ole Kæseler Andersen
- Integrative Neuroscience, Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Torta DM, Jure FA, Andersen OK, Biurrun Manresa JA. Intense and sustained pain reduces cortical responses to auditory stimuli: Implications for the interpretation of the effects of heterotopic noxious conditioning stimulation in humans. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 50:3934-3943. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diana M. Torta
- Health Psychology Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences KU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Institute of Neuroscience UC Louvain Brussels Belgium
| | - Fabricio A. Jure
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain SMI® Department of Health Science and Technology Aalborg University Aalborg Denmark
| | - Ole K. Andersen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain SMI® Department of Health Science and Technology Aalborg University Aalborg Denmark
| | - José A.B. Biurrun Manresa
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain SMI® Department of Health Science and Technology Aalborg University Aalborg Denmark
- Institute for Research and Development in Bioengineering and Bioinformatics (IBB) CONICET‐UNER Entre Ríos Argentina
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Deldar Z, Rustamov N, Bois S, Blanchette I, Piché M. Enhancement of pain inhibition by working memory with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. J Physiol Sci 2018; 68:825-836. [PMID: 29450801 PMCID: PMC10717442 DOI: 10.1007/s12576-018-0598-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) enhances pain inhibition by improving working memory (WM). Forty healthy volunteers participated in two tDCS sessions. Pain was evoked by electrical stimulation at the ankle. Participants performed an n-back task (0-back and 2-back). The experimental protocol comprised five counterbalanced conditions (0-back, 2-back, pain, 0-back with pain and 2-back with pain) that were performed twice (pre-tDCS baseline and during tDCS). Compared with the pre-tDCS baseline values, anodal tDCS decreased response times for the 2-back condition (p < 0.01) but not for the 0-back condition (p > 0.5). Anodal tDCS also decreased pain ratings marginally in the 2-back with pain condition, but not the 0-back with pain condition (p = 0.052 and p > 0.2, respectively). No effect was produced by sham tDCS for any condition (p > 0.2). These results indicate that tDCS of the left DLPFC may enhance pain inhibition by improving WM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoha Deldar
- Department of Chiropractic, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. Des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC, G9A 5H7, Canada
- CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Nabi Rustamov
- Department of Chiropractic, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. Des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC, G9A 5H7, Canada
- CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Suzie Bois
- Department of Chiropractic, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. Des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC, G9A 5H7, Canada
- CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Blanchette
- CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Piché
- Department of Chiropractic, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. Des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, QC, G9A 5H7, Canada.
- CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada.
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Manresa JAB, Mørch CD, Andersen OK. Long-term facilitation of nociceptive withdrawal reflexes following low-frequency conditioning electrical stimulation: A new model for central sensitization in humans. Eur J Pain 2012; 14:822-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2009.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2009] [Revised: 11/24/2009] [Accepted: 12/21/2009] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Bjerre L, Andersen A, Hagelskjær M, Ge N, Mørch C, Andersenl O. Dynamic tuning of human withdrawal reflex receptive fields during cognitive attention and distraction tasks. Eur J Pain 2012; 15:816-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2011.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Revised: 12/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/31/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Bjerre
- Center for Sensory‐Motor Interaction, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - A.T. Andersen
- Center for Sensory‐Motor Interaction, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - M.T. Hagelskjær
- Center for Sensory‐Motor Interaction, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - N. Ge
- Center for Sensory‐Motor Interaction, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - C.D. Mørch
- Center for Sensory‐Motor Interaction, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - O.K. Andersenl
- Center for Sensory‐Motor Interaction, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
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Introducing the reflex probability maps in the quantification of nociceptive withdrawal reflex receptive fields in humans. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2011; 21:67-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2010.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2010] [Revised: 08/03/2010] [Accepted: 09/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Biurrun Manresa JA, Neziri AY, Curatolo M, Arendt-Nielsen L, Andersen OK. Test–retest reliability of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex and electrical pain thresholds after single and repeated stimulation in patients with chronic low back pain. Eur J Appl Physiol 2010; 111:83-92. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-010-1634-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Liebermann DG, Defrin R. Characteristics of the nociceptive withdrawal response elicited under aware and unaware conditions. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2009; 19:e114-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2007.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2007] [Revised: 10/12/2007] [Accepted: 10/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Reliability of the nociceptive flexor reflex (RIII) threshold and association with Pain threshold. Eur J Appl Physiol 2008; 105:55-62. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-008-0872-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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