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Neumann N, Domin M, Lotze M. Gray matter volume of limbic brain structures during the development of chronic back pain: a longitudinal cohort study. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00686. [PMID: 39167465 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study set out to investigate in a population-based longitudinal cohort, whether chronification of back pain (BP) is related to structural gray matter changes in corticolimbic brain structures. Gray matter volume (GMV) was measured in participants with chronic BP (CBP, n = 168) and controls without chronic pain (n = 323) at 2 time points with an interval of 7 years (baseline t1, follow-up t2). Over this time period, participants with CBP showed an increase of GMV in the left ventral striatum, whereas controls showed a decrease. By contrast, participants with CBP had a GMV decrease in the left parahippocampal gyrus. Within the CBP group, pain duration was negatively associated with GMV in the left caudate. Those with emerging CBP had less GMV in the right entorhinal area, right amygdala, and left medial frontal cortex. Additional variables differing between those who had BP at t1 and later developed CBP or not were pain intensity, body mass index, and depression score. In sum, these findings are in accordance with the notion that limbic brain properties are both predisposing risk factors and drivers of brain reorganization during the development of CBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Neumann
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology, Functional Imaging Unit, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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2
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Mahu IT, Conrod PJ, Barrett SP, Sako A, Swansburg J, Stewart SH. The four-factor personality model and its qualitative correlates among opioid agonist therapy clients. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1129274. [PMID: 37363172 PMCID: PMC10289030 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1129274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Four Factor Personality Vulnerability model identifies four specific personality traits (e.g., sensation seeking [SS], impulsivity [IMP], anxiety sensitivity [AS], and hopelessness [HOP]) as implicated in substance use behaviors, motives for substance use, and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. Although the relationship between these traits and polysubstance use in opioid agonist therapy (OAT) clients has been investigated quantitatively, no study has examined the qualitative expression of each trait using clients' voice. Method Nineteen Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) clients (68.4% male, 84.2% white, mean age[SD] = 42.71 [10.18]) scoring high on one of the four personality traits measured by the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale [SURPS] completed a semi-structured qualitative interview designed to explore their lived experience of their respective trait. Thematic analysis was used to derive themes, which were further quantified using content analysis. Results Themes emerging from interviews reflected (1) internalizing and externalizing symptoms, (2) adversity experiences, and (3) polysubstance use. Internalizing symptoms subthemes included symptoms of anxiety, fear, stress, depression, and avoidance coping. Externalizing subthemes included anger, disinhibited cognitions, and anti-social and risk-taking behaviors. Adverse experiences subthemes included poor health, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, trauma, and conflict. Finally, polysubstance use subthemes include substance types, methods of use, and motives. Differences emerged between personality profiles in the relative endorsement of various subthemes, including those pertaining to polysubstance use, that were largely as theoretically expected. Conclusion Personality is associated with unique cognitive, affective, and behavioral lived experiences, suggesting that personality may be a novel intervention target in adjunctive psychosocial treatment for those undergoing OAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioan T. Mahu
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Patricia J. Conrod
- Ste-Justine Hospital, Centre de Recherche, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sean P. Barrett
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Aïssata Sako
- Quebec-Atlantic Node, Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse, Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jennifer Swansburg
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sherry H. Stewart
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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3
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Chen YW, Canli T. "Nothing to see here": No structural brain differences as a function of the Big Five personality traits from a systematic review and meta-analysis. PERSONALITY NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 5:e8. [PMID: 35991756 PMCID: PMC9379932 DOI: 10.1017/pen.2021.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Personality reflects social, affective, and cognitive predispositions that emerge from genetic and environmental influences. Contemporary personality theories conceptualize a Big Five Model of personality based on the traits of neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience. Starting around the turn of the millennium, neuroimaging studies began to investigate functional and structural brain features associated with these traits. Here, we present the first study to systematically evaluate the entire published literature of the association between the Big Five traits and three different measures of brain structure. Qualitative results were highly heterogeneous, and a quantitative meta-analysis did not produce any replicable results. The present study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the literature and its limitations, including sample heterogeneity, Big Five personality instruments, structural image data acquisition, processing, and analytic strategies, and the heterogeneous nature of personality and brain structures. We propose to rethink the biological basis of personality traits and identify ways in which the field of personality neuroscience can be strengthened in its methodological rigor and replicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Wen Chen
- Program in Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Turhan Canli
- Program in Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Ma T, Ji YY, Yan LF, Lin JJ, Li ZY, Wang W, Li JL, Cui GB. Gray Matter Volume Abnormality in Chronic Pain Patients With Depressive Symptoms: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis of Voxel-Based Morphometry Studies. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:826759. [PMID: 35733934 PMCID: PMC9207409 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.826759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gray matter volume (GMV) alteration in specific brain regions has been widely regarded as one of the most important neuroplasticity features in chronic pain patients with depressive symptoms (CP-D). However, the consistent and significant results were still lacking. Thus, further exploration was suggested to be performed. Objectives This study aimed to comprehensively collect the voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies on GMV alteration between CP-D and healthy controls (HCs). And a systemic review and meta-analysis were made to explore the characteristic brain regions in chronic pain and depression comorbidity. Methods Search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases updated to July 13, 2021. The altered GMV between CP-D and HCs in VBM studies was included in this meta-analysis. In total, 18 studies (20 datasets) and 1320 participants (520 patients and 800 HCs) were included. The significant coordinate information (x, y, z) reported in standard space and the effect size (t-value or z-score) were extracted and analyzed by anisotropic effect size-signed differential mapping (AES-SDM) 5.15 software. Results According to the main analysis results, CP-D showed significant and consistent increased GMV in the left hippocampus (HIP. L) and decreased GMV in the medial part of the left superior frontal gyrus (SFG. L, BA 10) compared to HCs. Subgroup analysis showed significant decreased GMV in the medial orbital part of SFG.R (BA 10) in neuropathic pain, as well as significant increased GMV in the right parahippocampal gyrus (PHG.R, BA 35), left hippocampus (HIP.L, BA 20), and right middle frontal gyrus (MFG.R) in musculoskeletal pain. Furthermore, meta-regression showed a positive relationship between the decreased GMV in the medial part of SFG.L and the percentage of female patients. Conclusion GMV abnormality in specific brain areas (e.g., HIP.L and SFG) was robust and reproducible, which could be significantly involved in this comorbidity disease. The findings in this study may be a valuable reference for future research. Systematic Review Registration [www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/].
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Ma
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Ji
- College of Forensic Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Public Health for Forensic Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lin-Feng Yan
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jia-Ji Lin
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ze-Yang Li
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jin-Lian Li
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Guang-Bin Cui
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Department of Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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5
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Zheng CJ, Van Drunen S, Egorova-Brumley N. Neural correlates of co-occurring pain and depression: an activation-likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis and systematic review. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:196. [PMID: 35545623 PMCID: PMC9095719 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01949-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between pain and depression is thought to be bidirectional and the underlying neurobiology 'shared' between the two conditions. However, these claims are often based on qualitative comparisons of brain regions implicated in pain or depression, while focused quantitative studies of the neurobiology of pain-depression comorbidity are lacking. Particularly, the direction of comorbidity, i.e., pain with depression vs. depression with pain, is rarely addressed. In this systematic review (PROSPERO registration CRD42020219876), we aimed to delineate brain correlates associated with primary pain with concomitant depression, primary depression with concurrent pain, and equal pain and depression comorbidity, using activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis. Neuroimaging studies published in English until the 28th of September 2021 were evaluated using PRISMA guidelines. A total of 70 studies were included, of which 26 reported stereotactic coordinates and were analysed with ALE. All studies were assessed for quality by two authors, using the National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tool. Our results revealed paucity of studies that directly investigated the neurobiology of pain-depression comorbidity. The ALE analysis indicated that pain with concomitant depression was associated with the right amygdala, while depression with concomitant pain was related primarily to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). We provide evidence that pain and depression have a cumulative negative effect on a specific set of brain regions, distinct for primary diagnosis of depression vs. pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Natalia Egorova-Brumley
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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6
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de Abreu MS, Giacomini ACVV, Genario R, Demin KA, Amstislavskaya TG, Costa F, Rosemberg DB, Sneddon LU, Strekalova T, Soares MC, Kalueff AV. Understanding early-life pain and its effects on adult human and animal emotionality: Translational lessons from rodent and zebrafish models. Neurosci Lett 2022; 768:136382. [PMID: 34861343 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Critical for organismal survival, pain evokes strong physiological and behavioral responses in various sentient species. Clinical and preclinical (animal) studies markedly increase our understanding of biological consequences of developmental (early-life) adversity, as well as acute and chronic pain. However, the long-term effects of early-life pain exposure on human and animal emotional responses remain poorly understood. Here, we discuss experimental models of nociception in rodents and zebrafish, and summarize mounting evidence of the role of early-life pain in shaping emotional traits later in life. We also call for further development of animal models to probe the impact of early-life pain exposure on behavioral traits, brain disorders and novel therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscreening Platform, School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology and Neurobiology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow, Russia; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA.
| | - Ana C V V Giacomini
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Genario
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medcial Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Granov Russian Scientific Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tamara G Amstislavskaya
- Scientific Research Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA
| | - Fabiano Costa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil; Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Denis B Rosemberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA
| | - Lynne U Sneddon
- University of Gothenburg, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tatyana Strekalova
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; Laboratory of Psychiatric Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Department of Normal Physiology, Sechenov 1st Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Moscow, Russia; Department of Preventive Medicine, Maastricht Medical Center Annadal, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Marta C Soares
- CIBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia.
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7
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Naylor B, Hesam-Shariati N, McAuley JH, Boag S, Newton-John T, Rae CD, Gustin SM. Reduced Glutamate in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Is Associated With Emotional and Cognitive Dysregulation in People With Chronic Pain. Front Neurol 2019; 10:1110. [PMID: 31849800 PMCID: PMC6903775 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A decrease in glutamate in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been extensively found in animal models of chronic pain. Given that the mPFC is implicated in emotional appraisal, cognition and extinction of fear, could a potential decrease in glutamate be associated with increased pessimistic thinking, fear and worry symptoms commonly found in people with chronic pain? To clarify this question, 19 chronic pain subjects and 19 age- and gender-matched control subjects without pain underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Both groups also completed the Temperament and Character, the Beck Depression and the State Anxiety Inventories to measure levels of harm avoidance, depression, and anxiety, respectively. People with chronic pain had significantly higher scores in harm avoidance, depression and anxiety compared to control subjects without pain. High levels of harm avoidance are characterized by excessive worry, pessimism, fear, doubt and fatigue. Individuals with chronic pain showed a significant decrease in mPFC glutamate levels compared to control subjects without pain. In people with chronic pain mPFC glutamate levels were significantly negatively correlated with harm avoidance scores. This means that the lower the concentration of glutamate in the mPFC, the greater the total scores of harm avoidance. High scores are associated with fearfulness, pessimism, and fatigue-proneness. We suggest that chronic pain, particularly the stress-induced release of glucocorticoids, induces changes in glutamate transmission in the mPFC, thereby influencing cognitive, and emotional processing. Thus, in people with chronic pain, regulation of fear, worry, negative thinking and fatigue is impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke Naylor
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - James H McAuley
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Boag
- School of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Toby Newton-John
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Sylvia M Gustin
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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8
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Is pain part of a systemic syndrome in head and neck cancer? Support Care Cancer 2019; 28:451-459. [PMID: 31713692 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-05147-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNC) represent 5% of all malignancies worldwide with about 180,000 cancer deaths per year. Patients with HNC are characterized by a systemic inflammatory state, generally associated with worse outcomes. Treatment-related toxicity is common among HNC patients and causes systemic consequences such as fatigue or cognitive dysfunction. The therapeutic treatments of HNC involve the release in circulation of inflammatory systemic mediators, whose effects trigger a vicious circle that may lead to functional and behavioral alterations. The areas of the head and neck are highly sensitive to pain. Literature data confirm that in HNC patients, pain is one of the most distressing symptoms across all the phases of treatment. Pain is associated with worse general conditions, depression, fatigue, impaired cognitive functions, and lower survival rate. The treatment of advanced HNC cases is multimodal and requires a multidisciplinary psycho-socio-pharmacological approach mediated by a team of experts. The pharmacological approach in management of HNC patients with pain is fundamental and involves the use of opioids, NSAIDs, steroids, or other drugs. Opioids in pain management therapy in patients with HNC could allow the pain level to be adequately monitored, thus improving quality of life. The integration of opioid and non-opioid therapy as well as non-pharmacological interventions is essential for the rehabilitation of physical, social, and psychological functions and to achieve pain control in patients with HNC. Opioid treatment is the mainstay for pain control, being used both for background and breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) episodes. Fentanyl, easily absorbed and generally well tolerated, appears to be a possible choice due to its versatility. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as tailored yoga, physical exercise, and acupuncture, may have a role in pain management in patients with HNC.
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9
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Murphy BA, Wulff-Burchfield E, Ghiam M, Bond SM, Deng J. Chronic Systemic Symptoms in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2019; 2019:5551355. [DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgz004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThe systemic effects and manifestations of disease and treatment have been of interest for millennium. Until recently, basic and clinical research is just now reaching a watershed. Systemic symptoms usually do not occur in isolation but rather in clusters; however, much of the cutting-edge research pertaining to the etiology, mechanism, manifestations, and moderators of systemic symptoms in humans has been directed at individual symptoms, thus creating silos of knowledge. Breaching these silos and bridging the knowledge from disparate arenas of investigation to build a comprehensive depiction of acute and chronic systemic symptoms has been a challenge. In addition, much of the recent work in systemic symptoms has been conducted in the setting of nonmalignant disease. The degree to which the findings from other chronic disease processes can be translated into the oncologic realm is unknown. This article will explore inflammation as a major contributing factor to systemic symptoms and sickness behavior, discuss the most common manifestations in cancer survivors, and, where available, discuss specific data pertaining to head and neck cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Murphy
- Department of Medicine and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Elizabeth Wulff-Burchfield
- Department of Medicine and Division of Hematology-Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Michael Ghiam
- Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
| | - Stewart M Bond
- William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Boston, MA
| | - Jie Deng
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
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10
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Ong WY, Stohler CS, Herr DR. Role of the Prefrontal Cortex in Pain Processing. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:1137-1166. [PMID: 29876878 PMCID: PMC6400876 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1130-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 367] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is not only important in executive functions, but also pain processing. The latter is dependent on its connections to other areas of the cerebral neocortex, hippocampus, periaqueductal gray (PAG), thalamus, amygdala, and basal nuclei. Changes in neurotransmitters, gene expression, glial cells, and neuroinflammation occur in the PFC during acute and chronic pain, that result in alterations to its structure, activity, and connectivity. The medial PFC (mPFC) could serve dual, opposing roles in pain: (1) it mediates antinociceptive effects, due to its connections with other cortical areas, and as the main source of cortical afferents to the PAG for modulation of pain. This is a ‘loop’ where, on one side, a sensory stimulus is transformed into a perceptual signal through high brain processing activity, and perceptual activity is then utilized to control the flow of afferent sensory stimuli at their entrance (dorsal horn) to the CNS. (2) It could induce pain chronification via its corticostriatal projection, possibly depending on the level of dopamine receptor activation (or lack of) in the ventral tegmental area-nucleus accumbens reward pathway. The PFC is involved in biopsychosocial pain management. This includes repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, antidepressants, acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, music, exercise, partner support, empathy, meditation, and prayer. Studies demonstrate the role of the PFC during placebo analgesia, and in establishing links between pain and depression, anxiety, and loss of cognition. In particular, losses in PFC grey matter are often reversible after successful treatment of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Yi Ong
- Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
- Neurobiology and Ageing Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
| | | | - Deron R Herr
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
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11
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Thibault K, Rivière S, Lenkei Z, Férézou I, Pezet S. Orofacial Neuropathic Pain Leads to a Hyporesponsive Barrel Cortex with Enhanced Structural Synaptic Plasticity. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160786. [PMID: 27548330 PMCID: PMC4993517 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a long-lasting debilitating condition that is particularly difficult to treat due to the lack of identified underlying mechanisms. Although several key contributing processes have been described at the level of the spinal cord, very few studies have investigated the supraspinal mechanisms underlying chronic pain. Using a combination of approaches (cortical intrinsic imaging, immunohistochemical and behavioural analysis), our study aimed to decipher the nature of functional and structural changes in a mouse model of orofacial neuropathic pain, focusing on cortical areas involved in various pain components. Our results show that chronic neuropathic orofacial pain is associated with decreased haemodynamic responsiveness to whisker stimulation in the barrel field cortex. This reduced functional activation is likely due to the increased basal neuronal activity (measured indirectly using cFos and phospho-ERK immunoreactivity) observed in several cortical areas, including the contralateral barrel field, motor and cingulate cortices. In the same animals, immunohistochemical analysis of markers for active pre- or postsynaptic elements (Piccolo and phospho-Cofilin, respectively) revealed an increased immunofluorescence in deep cortical layers of the contralateral barrel field, motor and cingulate cortices. These results suggest that long-lasting orofacial neuropathic pain is associated with exacerbated neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity at the cortical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Thibault
- Brain Plasticity Unit, ESPCI, PSL Research University, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8249, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Rivière
- Brain Plasticity Unit, ESPCI, PSL Research University, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8249, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Zsolt Lenkei
- Brain Plasticity Unit, ESPCI, PSL Research University, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8249, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Férézou
- Brain Plasticity Unit, ESPCI, PSL Research University, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8249, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Pezet
- Brain Plasticity Unit, ESPCI, PSL Research University, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8249, 75005, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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12
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Henderson LA, Di Pietro F. How do neuroanatomical changes in individuals with chronic pain result in the constant perception of pain? Pain Manag 2016; 6:147-59. [PMID: 26997246 DOI: 10.2217/pmt.15.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the advent of anatomical brain imaging analysis techniques, numerous reports have shown altered regional brain anatomy in individuals with various chronic pain conditions. While early reports of increased regional brain volumes in taxi drivers and pianists were simply interpreted as responses to excessive use, the mechanisms responsible for anatomical changes associated with chronic pain are not so straightforward. The main aim of this paper is to explore the potential underlying cellular changes responsible for change in gross brain anatomy in individuals with chronic pain, in particular pain following nervous system damage. Determining the basis of these changes may provide a platform for development of targeted, personalized and ultimately more effective treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A Henderson
- Department of Anatomy & Histology, F13, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Flavia Di Pietro
- Department of Anatomy & Histology, F13, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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13
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Strachan E, Poeschla B, Dansie E, Succop A, Chopko L, Afari N. Clinical and evoked pain, personality traits, and emotional states: can familial confounding explain the associations? J Psychosom Res 2015; 78:58-63. [PMID: 25311873 PMCID: PMC4272603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pain is a complex phenomenon influenced by context and person-specific factors. Affective dimensions of pain involve both enduring personality traits and fleeting emotional states. We examined how personality traits and emotional states are linked with clinical and evoked pain in a twin sample. METHODS 99 female twin pairs were evaluated for clinical and evoked pain using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and dolorimetry, and completed the 120-item International Personality Item Pool (IPIP), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and ratings of stress and mood. Using a co-twin control design we examined a) the relationship of personality traits and emotional states with clinical and evoked pain and b) whether genetics and common environment (i.e. familial factors) may account for the associations. RESULTS Neuroticism was associated with the sensory component of the MPQ; this relationship was not confounded by familial factors. None of the emotional state measures was associated with the MPQ. PANAS negative affect was associated with lower evoked pressure pain threshold and tolerance; these associations were confounded by familial factors. There were no associations between IPIP traits and evoked pain. CONCLUSIONS A relationship exists between neuroticism and clinical pain that is not confounded by familial factors. There is no similar relationship between negative emotional states and clinical pain. In contrast, the relationship between negative emotional states and evoked pain is strong while the relationship with enduring personality traits is weak. The relationship between negative emotional states and evoked pain appears to be non-causal and due to familial factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Strachan
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- University of Washington Twin Registry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Brian Poeschla
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Elizabeth Dansie
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Annemarie Succop
- University of Washington Twin Registry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Laura Chopko
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- University of Washington Twin Registry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Niloofar Afari
- University of Washington Twin Registry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego He althcare System, and Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA
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Gustin SM, McKay JG, Petersen ET, Peck CC, Murray GM, Henderson LA. Subtle alterations in brain anatomy may change an individual's personality in chronic pain. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109664. [PMID: 25291361 PMCID: PMC4188621 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well established that gross prefrontal cortex damage can affect an individual’s personality. It is also possible that subtle prefrontal cortex changes associated with conditions such as chronic pain, and not detectable until recent advances in human brain imaging, may also result in subtle changes in an individual’s personality. In an animal model of chronic neuropathic pain, subtle prefrontal cortex changes including altered basal dendritic length, resulted in altered decision making ability. Using multiple magnetic resonance imaging techniques, we found in humans, although gray matter volume and on-going activity were unaltered, chronic neuropathic pain was associated with reduced free and bound proton movement, indicators of subtle anatomical changes, in the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and mediodorsal thalamus. Furthermore, proton spectroscopy revealed an increase in neural integrity in the medial prefrontal cortex in neuropathic pain patients, the degree of which was significantly correlated to the personality temperament of novelty seeking. These data reveal that even subtle changes in prefrontal cortex anatomy may result in a significant change in an individual’s personality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia M. Gustin
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Jamie G. McKay
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Esben T. Petersen
- Departments of Radiology and Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Chris C. Peck
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Greg M. Murray
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Luke A. Henderson
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Connectivity-based parcellation of the human frontal polar cortex. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 220:2603-16. [PMID: 24927720 PMCID: PMC4549383 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The frontal pole corresponds to Brodmann area (BA) 10, the largest single architectonic area in the human frontal lobe. Generally, BA10 is thought to contain two or three subregions that subserve broad functions such as multitasking, social cognition, attention, and episodic memory. However, there is a substantial debate about the functional and structural heterogeneity of this large frontal region. Previous connectivity-based parcellation studies have identified two or three subregions in the human frontal pole. Here, we used diffusion tensor imaging to assess structural connectivity of BA10 in 35 healthy subjects and delineated subregions based on this connectivity. This allowed us to determine the correspondence of structurally based subregions with the scheme previously defined functionally. Three subregions could be defined in each subject. However, these three subregions were not spatially consistent between subjects. Therefore, we accepted a solution with two subregions that encompassed the lateral and medial frontal pole. We then examined resting-state functional connectivity of the two subregions and found significant differences between their connectivities. The medial cluster was connected to nodes of the default-mode network, which is implicated in internally focused, self-related thought, and social cognition. The lateral cluster was connected to nodes of the executive control network, associated with directed attention and working memory. These findings support the concept that there are two major anatomical subregions of the frontal pole related to differences in functional connectivity.
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