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Wu Q, Li X, Zhang Y, Chen S, Jin R, Peng W. Analgesia of noninvasive electrical stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychosom Res 2024; 185:111868. [PMID: 39142194 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is implicated in pain modulation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for pain relief. However, studies on transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) over the DLPFC yielded diverse results, likely due to differences in stimulation protocols or pain assessment methods. This study aims to evaluate the analgesic effects of DLPFC-tES using a meta-analytical approach. METHODS A meta-analysis of 29 studies involving 785 participants was conducted. The effects of genuine and sham DLPFC-tES on pain perception were examined in healthy individuals and patients with clinical pain. Subgroup analyses explored the impact of stimulation parameters and pain modalities. RESULTS DLPFC-tES did not significantly affect pain outcomes in healthy populations but showed promise in reducing pain-intensity ratings in patients with clinical pain (Hedges' g = -0.78, 95% CI = [-1.33, -0.24], p = 0.005). Electrode placement significantly influenced the analgesic effect, with better results observed when the anode was at F3 and the cathode at F4. CONCLUSIONS DLPFC-tES holds potential as a cost-effective pain management option, particularly for clinical populations. Optimizing electrode placement, especially with an symmetrical configuration, may enhance therapeutic efficacy. These findings underscore the promise of DLPFC-tES for alleviating perceived pain intensity in clinical settings, emphasizing the importance of electrode placement optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Wu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoyun Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yinhua Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shengxiong Chen
- Medical Rehabilitation Center, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Richu Jin
- Tech X Academy, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Weiwei Peng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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Kataria M, Gupta N, Kumar A, Bhoriwal S, Singh A, Shekhar V, Bhatia R. Assessing the effectiveness of high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-mastectomy pain in breast cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial. Breast Cancer 2024; 31:841-850. [PMID: 38796817 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-024-01598-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-mastectomy pain Syndrome (PMPS), characterized by chronic neuropathic pain stemming from intercostobrachial nerve lesions, presents a formidable clinical challenge. With the incidence of breast cancer surging, effective interventions for PMPS are urgently needed. To address this, we conducted this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to study the efficacy of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) therapy over the motor cortex on pain, quality of life and thermal sensitivity in PMPS patients. METHODS We delivered 15 rTMS sessions over three weeks in a cohort of 34 PMPS patients. These patients were allocated randomly to either rTMS therapy or sham therapy groups. Pain assessments, utilizing the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), alongside quality-of-life evaluations through the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), were recorded before and after the 15 sessions. Additionally, we assessed thermal sensitivity using Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST). RESULTS Our findings demonstrate the superior efficacy of rTMS therapy (over sham therapy) in reducing VAS and SF-MPQ scores (p < 0.0001), improving physical (p = 0.037), emotional (p = 0.033), and functional well-being (p = 0.020) components of quality of life, as quantified by FACT-B. Our investigation also unveiled marked enhancements in thermal sensitivity within the rTMS therapy group, with statistically significant improvements in cold detection threshold (p = 0.0001), warm detection threshold (p = 0.0033), cold pain threshold (p = 0.0078), and hot pain tolerance threshold (p = 0.0078). CONCLUSION The study underscores the profound positive impact of rTMS therapy on pain, quality of life, and thermal sensitivity in patients having PMPS, opening new avenues for pain management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Kataria
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Nishkarsh Gupta
- Department of Onco-Anesthesiology and Palliative Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Aasheesh Kumar
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Sandeep Bhoriwal
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Akanksha Singh
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Varun Shekhar
- Department of Onco-Anesthesiology and Palliative Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Renu Bhatia
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India.
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Fongsaran C, Dineley KT, Paessler S, Cisneros IE. VEEV TC-83 Triggers Dysregulation of the Tryptophan-Kynurenine Pathway in the Central Nervous System That Correlates with Cognitive Impairment in Tg2576 Mice. Pathogens 2024; 13:397. [PMID: 38787249 PMCID: PMC11124172 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic conditions affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta in the limbic and cortical brain regions. AD is presumed to result from genetic abnormalities or environmental factors, including viral infections, which may have deleterious, long-term effects. In this study, we demonstrate that the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) commonly induces neurodegeneration and long-term neurological or cognitive sequelae. Notably, the effects of VEEV infection can persistently influence gene expression in the mouse brain, suggesting a potential link between the observed neurodegenerative outcomes and long-term alterations in gene expression. Additionally, we show that alphavirus encephalitis exacerbates the neuropathological profile of AD through crosstalk between inflammatory and kynurenine pathways, generating a range of metabolites with potent effects. Using a mouse model for β-amyloidosis, Tg2576 mice, we found that cognitive deficits and brain pathology were more severe in Tg2576 mice infected with VEEV TC-83 compared to mock-infected controls. Thus, during immune activation, the kynurenine pathway plays a more active role in the VEEV TC-83-infected cells, leading to increases in the abundance of transcripts related to the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism. This pathway generates several metabolites with potent effects on neurotransmitter systems as well as on inflammation, as observed in VEEV TC-83-infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanida Fongsaran
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (C.F.); (S.P.)
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Kelly T. Dineley
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Center for Addiction Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (C.F.); (S.P.)
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Irma E. Cisneros
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (C.F.); (S.P.)
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- Center for Addiction Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Guzzi G, Della Torre A, Bruni A, Lavano A, Bosco V, Garofalo E, La Torre D, Longhini F. Anatomo-physiological basis and applied techniques of electrical neuromodulation in chronic pain. JOURNAL OF ANESTHESIA, ANALGESIA AND CRITICAL CARE 2024; 4:29. [PMID: 38698460 PMCID: PMC11064427 DOI: 10.1186/s44158-024-00167-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Chronic pain, a complex and debilitating condition, poses a significant challenge to both patients and healthcare providers worldwide. Conventional pharmacological interventions often prove inadequate in delivering satisfactory relief while carrying the risks of addiction and adverse reactions. In recent years, electric neuromodulation emerged as a promising alternative in chronic pain management. This method entails the precise administration of electrical stimulation to specific nerves or regions within the central nervous system to regulate pain signals. Through mechanisms that include the alteration of neural activity and the release of endogenous pain-relieving substances, electric neuromodulation can effectively alleviate pain and improve patients' quality of life. Several modalities of electric neuromodulation, with a different grade of invasiveness, provide tailored strategies to tackle various forms and origins of chronic pain. Through an exploration of the anatomical and physiological pathways of chronic pain, encompassing neurotransmitter involvement, this narrative review offers insights into electrical therapies' mechanisms of action, clinical utility, and future perspectives in chronic pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Guzzi
- Neurosurgery Department, "R. Dulbecco" Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Attilio Della Torre
- Neurosurgery Department, "R. Dulbecco" Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Andrea Bruni
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, "R. Dulbecco" Univesity Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, 88100, Italy
| | - Angelo Lavano
- Neurosurgery Department, "R. Dulbecco" Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Bosco
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, "R. Dulbecco" Univesity Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, 88100, Italy
| | - Eugenio Garofalo
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, "R. Dulbecco" Univesity Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, 88100, Italy
| | - Domenico La Torre
- Neurosurgery Department, "R. Dulbecco" Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Federico Longhini
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, "R. Dulbecco" Univesity Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, 88100, Italy.
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Theiss P, Pucci FG, Slavin KV. Invasive Neuromodulation Techniques for Treatment-Resistant Depression. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2024; 66:297-311. [PMID: 38082109 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/26/2024]
Abstract
Surgically implanted neurostimulation devices for the treatment of depression have been studied for the last three decades. While the surgical risk associated with these treatment approaches clearly limits their use to the most severely impacted depressed patients, they offer a unique opportunity to better understand the impact of relatively localized alteration of neural activity in patient groups. As a result, these approaches provide a strict test of the role of individual neural structures or networks in mechanistic models of depression. In this chapter, we review the proposed mechanisms of action and evidence for clinical efficacy of vagal nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, and epidural cortical stimulation in patients with depression. The evidence for efficacy remains limited for all three modalities, but the long-term follow-up studies of treated patients have highlighted the importance of interactions between neural regions in determining therapeutic response, and suggest that personalized approaches to stimulation are likely to be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Theiss
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Francesco G Pucci
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Konstantin V Slavin
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Neurology Section, Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Chen C, Tassou A, Morales V, Scherrer G. Graph theory analysis reveals an assortative pain network vulnerable to attacks. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21985. [PMID: 38082002 PMCID: PMC10713541 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49458-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural substrate of pain experience has been described as a dense network of connected brain regions. However, the connectivity pattern of these brain regions remains elusive, precluding a deeper understanding of how pain emerges from the structural connectivity. Here, we employ graph theory to systematically characterize the architecture of a comprehensive pain network, including both cortical and subcortical brain areas. This structural brain network consists of 49 nodes denoting pain-related brain areas, linked by edges representing their relative incoming and outgoing axonal projection strengths. Within this network, 63% of brain areas share reciprocal connections, reflecting a dense network. The clustering coefficient, a measurement of the probability that adjacent nodes are connected, indicates that brain areas in the pain network tend to cluster together. Community detection, the process of discovering cohesive groups in complex networks, successfully reveals two known subnetworks that specifically mediate the sensory and affective components of pain, respectively. Assortativity analysis, which evaluates the tendency of nodes to connect with other nodes that have similar features, indicates that the pain network is assortative. Finally, robustness, the resistance of a complex network to failures and perturbations, indicates that the pain network displays a high degree of error tolerance (local failure rarely affects the global information carried by the network) but is vulnerable to attacks (selective removal of hub nodes critically changes network connectivity). Taken together, graph theory analysis unveils an assortative structural pain network in the brain that processes nociceptive information. Furthermore, the vulnerability of this network to attack presents the possibility of alleviating pain by targeting the most connected brain areas in the network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Adrien Tassou
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Valentina Morales
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Grégory Scherrer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- UNC Neuroscience Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- New York Stem Cell Foundation ‒ Robertson Investigator, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Kim JK, You J, Son S, Suh I, Lim JY. Comparison of intermittent theta burst stimulation and high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain: A sham-controlled study. J Spinal Cord Med 2023:1-7. [PMID: 37982995 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2023.2277964] [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] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) and high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain with sham controls, using neuropathic pain-specific evaluation tools. DESIGN A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. SETTING Rehabilitation medicine department of a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-three patients with spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups (real iTBS, real rTMS, and sham rTMS). Each patient underwent five sessions of assigned stimulation. OUTCOME MEASURES Before and after completion of the five sessions, patients were evaluated using the self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs, Numeric Rating Scale, Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory, and Neuropathic Pain Scale. RESULTS Real iTBS and real rTMS reduced pain levels after stimulation according to all the evaluation tools, and the changes were significant when compared to the values of the sham rTMS group. No significant differences were found between the real iTBS and real rTMS groups. CONCLUSION Both iTBS and rTMS were effective in reducing spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain. When safety, convenience, and compliance are considered, iTBS would have an advantage over rTMS in clinical situations with spinal cord injury-related neuropathic pain.Trial Registration: This trial was registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (registration no. KCT0004976).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Keun Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daejeon Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - JaeIn You
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daejeon Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangpil Son
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daejeon Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - InHyuk Suh
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daejeon Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Youb Lim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Daejeon Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Uijeongbu, Republic of Korea
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Chiriac VF, Ciurescu D, Moșoiu DV. Cancer Pain and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation-A Narrative Review. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1957. [PMID: 38004006 PMCID: PMC10673188 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59111957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Pain is the most prevalent symptom in cancer patients. There is a paucity of data regarding non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) for the treatment of chronic pain in patients with cancer. The purpose of this article is to review the techniques of NIBS and present the published experiences of the oncological population. Materials and Methods: Databases including MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles on cancer patients with pain that was managed with non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. We included articles in English that were published from inception to January 2023. As studies were limited in number and had different designs and methodologies, a narrative review was considered as the best option to integrate data. Results: Four studies focusing on transcranial magnetic stimulation, six articles on transcranial direct current stimulation, and three articles regarding cranial electric stimulation were found and reviewed. Conclusions: Data are limited and not robust. Further studies in this field are required. Guidelines on NIBS for non-malignant chronic pain conditions provide good premises for cancer-related chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina-Fineta Chiriac
- Departament of Medical Oncology, “Dr Pompei Samarian” County Emergency Hospital, 910071 Călărași, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University, 500036 Brașov, Romania
| | - Daniel Ciurescu
- Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University, 500036 Brașov, Romania
| | - Daniela-Viorica Moșoiu
- Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University, 500036 Brașov, Romania
- HOSPICE Casa Sperantei, 500074 Brașov, Romania
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Zheng Y, Liu CW, Hui Chan DX, Kai Ong DW, Xin Ker JR, Ng WH, Wan KR. Neurostimulation for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review of High-Quality Randomized Controlled Trials With Long-Term Follow-Up. Neuromodulation 2023; 26:1276-1294. [PMID: 37436342 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.05.003] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to review the best evidence on the long-term efficacy of neurostimulation for chronic pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS We systematically reviewed PubMed, CENTRAL, and WikiStim for studies published between the inception of the data bases and July 21, 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a minimum of one-year follow-up that were of high methodologic quality as ascertained using the Delphi list criteria were included in the evidence synthesis. The primary outcome was long-term reduction in pain intensity, and the secondary outcomes were all other reported outcomes. Level of recommendation was graded from I to III, with level I being the highest level of recommendation. RESULTS Of the 7119 records screened, 24 RCTs were included in the evidence synthesis. Therapies with recommendations for their usage include pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) for postherpetic neuralgia, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for trigeminal neuralgia, motor cortex stimulation for neuropathic pain and poststroke pain, deep brain stimulation for cluster headache, sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation for cluster headache, occipital nerve stimulation for migraine, peripheral nerve field stimulation for back pain, and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for back and leg pain, nonsurgical back pain, persistent spinal pain syndrome, and painful diabetic neuropathy. Closed-loop SCS is recommended over open-loop SCS for back and leg pain. SCS is recommended over PRF for postherpetic neuralgia. Dorsal root ganglion stimulation is recommended over SCS for complex regional pain syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Neurostimulation is generally effective in the long term as an adjunctive treatment for chronic pain. Future studies should evaluate whether the multidisciplinary management of the physical perception of pain, affect, and social stressors is superior to their management alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Zheng
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Diana Xin Hui Chan
- Anaesthesiology and Pain Management, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Damian Wen Kai Ong
- Anaesthesia & Chronic and Interventional Pain Management, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Wai Hoe Ng
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore
| | - Kai Rui Wan
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore.
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Radiansyah RS, Hadi DW. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in central post-stroke pain: current status and future perspective. Korean J Pain 2023; 36:408-424. [PMID: 37752663 PMCID: PMC10551398 DOI: 10.3344/kjp.23220] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) is an incapacitating disorder that impacts a substantial proportion of stroke survivors and can diminish their quality of life. Conventional therapies for CPSP, including tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and opioids, are frequently ineffective, necessitating the investigation of alternative therapeutic strategies. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is now recognized as a promising noninvasive pain management method for CPSP. rTMS modulates neural activity through the administration of magnetic pulses to specific cortical regions. Trials analyzing the effects of rTMS on CPSP have generated various outcomes, but the evidence suggests possible analgesic benefits. In CPSP and other neuropathic pain conditions, high-frequency rTMS targeting the primary motor cortex (M1) with figure-eight coils has demonstrated significant pain alleviation. Due to its associaton with analgesic benefits, M1 is the most frequently targeted area. The duration and frequency of rTMS sessions, as well as the stimulation intensity, have been studied in an effort to optimize treatment outcomes. The short-term pain relief effects of rTMS have been observed, but the long-term effects (> 3 months) require further investigation. Aspects such as stimulation frequency, location, and treatment period can influence the efficacy of rTMS and ought to be considered while planning the procedure. Standardized guidelines for using rTMS in CPSP would optimize therapy protocols and improve patient outcomes. This review article provides an up-to-date overview of the incidence, clinical characteristics, outcome of rTMS in CPSP patients, and future perspective in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riva Satya Radiansyah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Deby Wahyuning Hadi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga – Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
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Padilla-Lichtenberger F, Casto F, Garavaglia F, Villaescusa M, Ciraolo C. Motor cortical stimulation for the treatment of trigeminal neuropathic pain secondary to an arteriovenous malformation. A case report. REVISTA DE LA FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS MÉDICAS 2023; 80:275-288. [PMID: 37773339 PMCID: PMC10594984 DOI: 10.31053/1853.0605.v80.n3.41142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) is a syndrome of severe, disabling, constant facial pain arising from the trigeminal nerve or ganglion. Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are a rare cause of TNP. The limited choices of intervention of TNP include peripheral nerve stimulation, trigeminal nucleotomy and motor cortex stimulation. CASE REPORT We present a 56-year-old man who suffered from trigeminal neuropathic pain secondary to nerve compression due to a giant posterior fossa AVM. The pain was refractory to drug treatment. From all the therapeutic options available we declined the microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve due to the presence of the giant AVM, or stereotactic radiosurgery because of the AVM´s diffuse nidus. After a multidisciplinary discussion we proposed a minimally invasive, safe and reversible treatment: Motor Cortical Stimulation (MCS). We placed a 16-pole epidural electrode on the right precentral gyrus. The patient had satisfactory pain control with some supplemental medication. No complications or side effects such as seizures, sensory disturbances or infections were presented. DISCUSSION The limited choices of intervention of TNP include peripheral nerve stimulation, trigeminal nucleotomy and MCS. Henssen et al performed a systematic review where they investigated the effectiveness of MCS and discovered that this is significantly different among different chronic neuropathic orofacial pain disorders. A visual analogue scale (VAS) measured median pain relief of 66.5% was found. CONCLUSION MCS should be one more tool to consider in highly selected cases, when other treatments are unfeasible.
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Martel M, Gaudreault N, Pelletier R, Houde F, Harvey MP, Giguère C, Balg F, Leonard G. Relationship between Motor Corticospinal System, Endogenous Pain Modulation Mechanisms and Clinical Symptoms in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: New Perspectives on an Old Disease. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1154. [PMID: 37626509 PMCID: PMC10452861 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13081154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful condition characterized by joint and bone changes. A growing number of studies suggest that these changes only partially explain the pain experienced by individuals with OA. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate if corticospinal and bulbospinal projection measurements were interrelated in patients with knee OA, and to explore the relationship between these neurophysiological measures and temporal summation (excitatory mechanisms of pain) on one hand, and clinical symptoms on the other. Twenty-eight (28) patients with knee OA were recruited. Corticospinal projections were measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation, while bulbospinal projections were evaluated with a conditioned pain modulation (CPM) protocol using a counter-irritation paradigm. Validated questionnaires were used to document clinical and psychological manifestations. All participants suffered from moderate to severe pain. There was a positive association between corticospinal excitability and the effectiveness of the CPM (rs = 0.67, p = 0.01, n = 13). There was also a positive relationship between pain intensity and corticospinal excitability (rs = 0.45, p = 0.03, n = 23), and between pain intensity and temporal summation (rs = 0.58, p = 0.01, n = 18). The results of this study highlight some of the central nervous system changes that could be involved in knee OA and underline the importance of interindividual variability to better understand and explain the semiology and pathophysiology of knee OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marylie Martel
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (M.M.); (N.G.); (R.P.)
- Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 4C4, Canada; (F.H.); (M.-P.H.)
| | - Nathaly Gaudreault
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (M.M.); (N.G.); (R.P.)
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada;
| | - René Pelletier
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (M.M.); (N.G.); (R.P.)
- Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 4C4, Canada; (F.H.); (M.-P.H.)
| | - Francis Houde
- Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 4C4, Canada; (F.H.); (M.-P.H.)
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada;
| | - Marie-Philippe Harvey
- Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 4C4, Canada; (F.H.); (M.-P.H.)
| | - Caroline Giguère
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada;
| | - Frédéric Balg
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada;
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Guillaume Leonard
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; (M.M.); (N.G.); (R.P.)
- Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 4C4, Canada; (F.H.); (M.-P.H.)
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Hsu PS, Cheng CM, Chao HT, Lin MW, Li WC, Lee LC, Liu CH, Chen LF, Hsieh JC. OPRM1 A118G polymorphism modulating motor pathway for pain adaptability in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1179851. [PMID: 37378013 PMCID: PMC10291086 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1179851] [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: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is a common condition among women of reproductive age, characterized by menstrual pain in the absence of any organic causes. Previous research has established a link between the A118G polymorphism in the mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) gene and pain experience in PDM. Specifically, carriers of the G allele have been found to exhibit maladaptive functional connectivity between the descending pain modulatory system and the motor system in young women with PDM. This study aims to explore the potential relationship between the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism and changes in white matter in young women with PDM. Methods The study enrolled 43 individuals with PDM, including 13 AA homozygotes and 30 G allele carriers. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans were performed during both the menstrual and peri-ovulatory phases, and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and probabilistic tractography were used to explore variations in white matter microstructure related to the OPRM1 A118G polymorphism. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) was used to access participants' pain experience during the MEN phase. Results Two-way ANOVA on TBSS analysis revealed a significant main effect of genotype, with no phase effect or phase-gene interaction detected. Planned contrast analysis showed that during the menstrual phase, G allele carriers had higher fractional anisotropy (FA) and lower radial diffusivity in the corpus callosum and the left corona radiata compared to AA homozygotes. Tractographic analysis indicated the involvement of the left internal capsule, left corticospinal tract, and bilateral medial motor cortex. Additionally, the mean FA of the corpus callosum and the corona radiata was negatively correlated with MPQ scales in AA homozygotes, but this correlation was not observed in G allele carriers. No significant genotype difference was found during the pain-free peri-ovulary phase. Discussion OPRM1 A118G polymorphism may influence the connection between structural integrity and dysmenorrheic pain, where the G allele could impede the pain-regulating effects of the A allele. These novel findings shed light on the underlying mechanisms of both adaptive and maladaptive structural neuroplasticity in PDM, depending on the specific OPRM1 polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Shan Hsu
- Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chou-Ming Cheng
- Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Tai Chao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Wei Lin
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chi Li
- Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Lin-Chien Lee
- Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsiung Liu
- Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan
| | - Li-Fen Chen
- Institute of Brain Science, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Chuen Hsieh
- Integrated Brain Research Unit, Division of Clinical Research, Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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Barbosa LM, Valerio F, da Silva VA, Rodrigues ALDL, Galhardoni R, Yeng LT, Junior JR, Conforto AB, Lucato LT, Teixeira MJ, de Andrade DC. Corticomotor excitability is altered in central neuropathic pain compared with non-neuropathic pain or pain-free patients. Neurophysiol Clin 2023; 53:102845. [PMID: 36822032 DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2023.102845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is associated with altered corticomotor excitability (CE), which can potentially provide insights into its mechanisms. The objective of this study is to describe the CE changes that are specifically related to CNP. METHODS We evaluated CNP associated with brain injury after stroke or spinal cord injury (SCI) due to neuromyelitis optica through a battery of CE measurements and comprehensive pain, neurological, functional, and quality of life assessments. CNP was compared to two groups of patients with the same disease: i. with non-neuropathic pain and ii. without chronic pain, matched by sex and lesion location. RESULTS We included 163 patients (stroke=93; SCI=70: 74 had CNP, 43 had non-neuropathic pain, and 46 were pain-free). Stroke patients with CNP had lower motor evoked potential (MEP) in both affected and unaffected hemispheres compared to non- neuropathic pain and no-pain patients. Patients with CNP had lower amplitudes of MEPs (366 μV ±464 μV) than non-neuropathic (478 ±489) and no-pain (765 μV ± 880 μV) patients, p < 0.001. Short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) was defective (less inhibited) in patients with CNP (2.6±11.6) compared to no-pain (0.8±0.7), p = 0.021. MEPs negatively correlated with mechanical and cold-induced allodynia. Furthermore, classifying patients' results according to normative data revealed that at least 75% of patients had abnormalities in some CE parameters and confirmed MEP findings based on group analyses. DISCUSSION CNP is associated with decreased MEPs and SICI compared to non-neuropathic pain and no-pain patients. Corticomotor excitability changes may be helpful as neurophysiological markers of the development and persistence of pain after CNS injury, as they are likely to provide insights into global CE plasticity changes occurring after CNS lesions associated with CNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Mendonça Barbosa
- Pain Center, Discipline of Neurosurgery HC-FMUSP, LIM-62, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo, 05403-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Valerio
- Pain Center, Discipline of Neurosurgery HC-FMUSP, LIM-62, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ricardo Galhardoni
- Pain Center, Discipline of Neurosurgery HC-FMUSP, LIM-62, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lin Tchia Yeng
- Pain Center, Discipline of Neurosurgery HC-FMUSP, LIM-62, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jefferson Rosi Junior
- Pain Center, Discipline of Neurosurgery HC-FMUSP, LIM-62, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Manoel Jacobsen Teixeira
- Pain Center, Discipline of Neurosurgery HC-FMUSP, LIM-62, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo, 05403-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Ciampi de Andrade
- Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo, 05403-900, São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220, Aalborg, Denmark.
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Assis DV, Campos ACP, Paschoa AFN, Santos TF, Fonoff ET, Pagano RL. Systemic and Peripheral Mechanisms of Cortical Stimulation-Induced Analgesia and Refractoriness in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097796. [PMID: 37175503 PMCID: PMC10177944 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidural motor cortex stimulation (MCS) is an effective treatment for refractory neuropathic pain; however, some individuals are unresponsive. In this study, we correlated the effectiveness of MCS and refractoriness with the expression of cytokines, neurotrophins, and nociceptive mediators in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG), sciatic nerve, and plasma of rats with sciatic neuropathy. MCS inhibited hyperalgesia and allodynia in two-thirds of the animals (responsive group), and one-third did not respond (refractory group). Chronic constriction injury (CCI) increased IL-1β in the nerve and DRG, inhibited IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17A in the nerve, decreased β-endorphin, and enhanced substance P in the plasma, compared to the control. Responsive animals showed decreased NGF and increased IL-6 in the nerve, accompanied by restoration of local IL-10 and IL-17A and systemic β-endorphin. Refractory animals showed increased TNF-α and decreased IFNγ in the nerve, along with decreased TNF-α and IL-17A in the DRG, maintaining low levels of systemic β-endorphin. Our findings suggest that the effectiveness of MCS depends on local control of inflammatory and neurotrophic changes, accompanied by recovery of the opioidergic system observed in neuropathic conditions. So, understanding the refractoriness to MCS may guide an improvement in the efficacy of the technique, thus benefiting patients with persistent neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle V Assis
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo 01308-060, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda F N Paschoa
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo 01308-060, SP, Brazil
| | - Talita F Santos
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo 01308-060, SP, Brazil
| | - Erich T Fonoff
- Division of Functional Neurosurgery, Department of Neurology, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, São Paulo 05402-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Rosana L Pagano
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo 01308-060, SP, Brazil
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Anodal-TDCS over Left-DLPFC Modulates Motor Cortex Excitability in Chronic Lower Back Pain. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12121654. [PMID: 36552115 PMCID: PMC9776085 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12121654] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is associated with abnormal cortical excitability and increased pain intensity. Research investigating the potential for transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate motor cortex excitability and reduce pain in individuals with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) yield mixed results. The present randomised, placebo-controlled study examined the impact of anodal-tDCS over left-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (left-DLPFC) on motor cortex excitability and pain in those with CLBP. Nineteen participants with CLBP (Mage = 53.16 years, SDage = 14.80 years) received 20-min of sham or anodal tDCS, twice weekly, for 4 weeks. Short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) were assessed using paired-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation prior to and immediately following the tDCS intervention. Linear Mixed Models revealed no significant effect of tDCS group or time, on SICI or ICF. The interactions between tDCS group and time on SICI and ICF only approached significance. Bayesian analyses revealed the anodal-tDCS group demonstrated higher ICF and SICI following the intervention compared to the sham-tDCS group. The anodal-tDCS group also demonstrated a reduction in pain intensity and self-reported disability compared to the sham-tDCS group. These findings provide preliminary support for anodal-tDCS over left-DLPFC to modulate cortical excitability and reduce pain in CLBP.
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Wang ZW, Yin ZH, Wang X, Zhang YT, Xu T, Du JR, Wen Y, Liao HQ, Zhao Y, Liang FR, Zhao L. Brain structural and functional changes during menstrual migraine: Relationships with pain. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:967103. [PMID: 36187356 PMCID: PMC9515315 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.967103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Menstrual migraine (MM) is a special type of migraine associated with the ovarian cycle, which imposes a marked burden on female patients. However, the pathogenesis of MM is not completely understood. We investigated gray matter volume (GMV) and functional connectivity (FC) alterations in patients with MM to explore whether there are changes in resting-state FC (rsFC) in brain regions with structural GMV abnormalities and investigated their relevance to pain and concomitant symptoms. Methods Seventy-five patients with MM and 54 female healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging and examination. The patients completed a patient’s headache diary, which included the frequency of migraine attacks, a visual analog scale for pain, a self-rating anxiety scale, and a self-rating depression scale. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to examine the GMV differences between the MM and healthy control groups. The identified brain areas were selected as seeds to assess functional changes in the MM group. Correlation analysis between the altered VBM/rsFC and clinical outcomes was performed. Results Compared with healthy controls, patients with MM showed decreased GMV in the right anterior cingulum cortex (ACC) and increased GMV in the right superior parietal cortex. Pearson’s correlation analysis illustrated that only GMV in the right ACC was associated with visual analogue scale pain scores in the MM group. RsFC with the ACC as the seed showed that patients with MM exhibited increased FC between the ACC and the left inferior temporal gyrus, bilateral angular gyrus, and right precuneus. Correlation analysis showed that the change in FC between the right ACC and the right precuneus was positively correlated with headache frequency, and the change in FC between the right ACC and the right angular gyrus was positively correlated with the depression score. Conclusion Our results suggested that the ACC may be an important biomarker in MM, and its structural and functional impairments are significantly associated with the severity of pain and pain-related impairment of emotion in patients with MM. These findings demonstrated that headache-associated structural and functional abnormalities in the ACC may can provide integrative evidence on the physiological mechanisms of MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-wen Wang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Provincial Acupuncture Clinical Medicine Research Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Zi-han Yin
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Provincial Acupuncture Clinical Medicine Research Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu-tong Zhang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Provincial Acupuncture Clinical Medicine Research Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Provincial Acupuncture Clinical Medicine Research Center, Chengdu, China
| | - Jia-rong Du
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Wen
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hua-qiang Liao
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Chengdu Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Fan-rong Liang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Provincial Acupuncture Clinical Medicine Research Center, Chengdu, China
- Fan-rong Liang,
| | - Ling Zhao
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Provincial Acupuncture Clinical Medicine Research Center, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Ling Zhao,
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Foglia SD, Rehsi RS, Turco CV, Shanthanna H, Nelson AJ. Case report: The feasibility of rTMS with intrathecal baclofen pump for the treatment of unresolved neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. FRONTIERS IN REHABILITATION SCIENCES 2022; 3:893014. [PMID: 36188893 PMCID: PMC9397973 DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.893014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of unresolved neuropathic pain in an individual with spinal cord injury and an intrathecal baclofen pump. A 62-year-old male presented with drug resistant neuropathic pain as a result of a complete spinal cord lesion at T8 level. Pain was classified into four types: pressure pain in the left foot, burning pain in buttocks, burning pain in sternum, and electrical attacks in the trunk. The treatment period involved 6 weeks of rTMS stimulation performed 5 days per week, a 6-week follow up period with no stimulation, and an 8-week top up session period which began 5-weeks after the end of the follow up period. 2004 pulses were delivered at 10Hz over the right-hand representation of the left primary motor cortex at 80% resting motor threshold during each session. Assessments were based on the numerical rating scale (NRS), neuropathic pain scale (NPS), Hamilton Depression and Anxiety rating scales. Following the treatment period there was a 30, 13, and 29% reduction in sternum, buttocks, and left foot pain respectively, as reported by the NRS. During this time, electrical attacks were abolished following the third week of treatment. These changes corresponded to a 38% decrease in NPS scores and a 65 and 25% reduction in anxiety and depressions scores respectively. The changes in sternum, buttocks, and left foot pain reported on the NRS persisted for 1 week following treatment. Top up sessions delivered 11 weeks after the end of the treatment period were unsuccessful in reducing pain to the level achieved during the treatment period. A 13% reduction in NPS was seen during these 8-weeks. Anxiety and depression scores decreased 78 and 67% respectively. The frequency of electrical attacks was zero during this time. rTMS stimulation delivered throughout this study did not cause any interference with the functioning of the intrathecal baclofen pump. This case study illustrates that rTMS may be effective at reducing drug resistant neuropathic pain with certain pain types exhibiting greater propensity for change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stevie D. Foglia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ravjot S. Rehsi
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Claudia V. Turco
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Harsha Shanthanna
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Aimee J. Nelson
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Aimee J. Nelson
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Xiong HY, Zheng JJ, Wang XQ. Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Chronic Pain: State of the Art and Future Directions. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:888716. [PMID: 35694444 PMCID: PMC9179147 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.888716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As a technique that can guide brain plasticity, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has the potential to improve the treatment of chronic pain (CP) because it can interfere with ongoing brain neural activity to regulate specific neural networks related to pain management. Treatments of CP with various forms of NIBS, such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), using new parameters of stimulation have achieved encouraging results. Evidence of moderate quality indicates that high-frequency rTMS of the primary motor cortex has a clear effect on neuropathic pain (NP) and fibromyalgia. However, evidence on its effectiveness regarding pain relief in other CP conditions is conflicting. Concerning tDCS, evidence of low quality supports its benefit for CP treatment. However, evidence suggesting that it exerts a small treatment effect on NP and headaches is also conflicting. In this paper, we describe the underlying principles behind these commonly used stimulation techniques; and summarize the results of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Future research should focus on a better evaluation of the short-term and long-term effectiveness of all NIBS techniques and whether they decrease healthcare use, as well as on the refinement of selection criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Yu Xiong
- Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Xue-Qiang Wang
- Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Shangti Orthopaedic Hospital, Shanghai, China
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Tonic pain alters functional connectivity of the descending pain modulatory network involving amygdala, periaqueductal gray, parabrachial nucleus and anterior cingulate cortex. Neuroimage 2022; 256:119278. [PMID: 35523367 PMCID: PMC9250649 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Resting state functional connectivity (FC) is widely used to assess functional brain alterations in patients with chronic pain. However, reports of FC accompanying tonic pain in pain-free persons are rare. A network we term the Descending Pain Modulatory Network (DPMN) is implicated in healthy and pathologic pain modulation. Here, we evaluate the effect of tonic pain on FC of specific nodes of this network: anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), amygdala (AMYG), periaqueductal gray (PAG), and parabrachial nuclei (PBN). METHODS In 50 pain-free participants (30F), we induced tonic pain using a capsaicin-heat pain model. functional MRI measured resting BOLD signal during pain-free rest with a 32°C thermode and then tonic pain where participants experienced a previously warm temperature combined with capsaicin. We evaluated FC from ACC, AMYG, PAG, and PBN with correlation of self-report pain intensity during both states. We hypothesized tonic pain would diminish FC dyads within the DPMN. RESULTS Of all hypothesized FC dyads, only PAG and subgenual ACC was weakly altered during pain (F=3.34; p=0.074; pain-free>pain d=0.25). After pain induction sACC-PAG FC became positively correlated with pain intensity (R=0.38; t=2.81; p=0.007). Right PBN-PAG FC during pain-free rest positively correlated with subsequently experienced pain (R=0.44; t=3.43; p=0.001). During pain, this connection's FC was diminished (paired t=-3.17; p=0.0026). In whole-brain analyses, during pain-free rest, FC between left AMYG and right superior parietal lobule and caudate nucleus were positively correlated with subsequent pain. During pain, FC between left AMYG and right inferior temporal gyrus negatively correlated with pain. Subsequent pain positively correlated with right AMYG FC with right claustrum; right primary visual cortex and right temporo-occipitoparietal junction Conclusion: We demonstrate sACC-PAG tonic pain FC positively correlates with experienced pain and resting right PBN-PAG FC correlates with subsequent pain and is diminished during tonic pain. Finally, we reveal PAG- and right AMYG-anchored networks which correlate with subsequently experienced pain intensity. Our findings suggest specific connectivity patterns within the DPMN at rest are associated with subsequently experienced pain and modulated by tonic pain. These nodes and their functional modulation may reveal new therapeutic targets for neuromodulation or biomarkers to guide interventions.
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Li X, Lin X, Yao J, Chen S, Hu Y, Liu J, Jin R. Effects of High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Over the Primary Motor Cortex on Cold Pain Sensitivity Among Healthy Adults. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:853509. [PMID: 35370540 PMCID: PMC8971908 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.853509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some clinical studies have shown promising effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) on pain relief. Nevertheless, a few studies reported no significant analgesic effects of tDCS, likely due to the complexity of clinical pain conditions. Human experimental pain models that utilize indices of pain in response to well-controlled noxious stimuli can avoid many confounds that are present in the clinical data. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) stimulation over M1 on sensitivity to experimental pain and assess whether these effects could be influenced by the pain-related cognitions and emotions. A randomized, double-blinded, crossover, and sham-controlled design was adopted. A total of 28 healthy participants received anodal, cathodal, or sham HD-tDCS over M1 (1 mA for 20 min) in different sessions, in which montage has the advantage of producing more focal stimulation. Using a cold pressor test, several indices reflecting the sensitivity to cold pain were measured immediately after HD-tDCS stimulation, such as cold pain threshold and tolerance and cold pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings. Results showed that only anodal HD-tDCS significantly increased cold pain threshold when compared with sham stimulation. Neither anodal nor cathodal HD-tDCS showed significant analgesic effects on cold pain tolerance, pain intensity, and unpleasantness ratings. Correlation analysis revealed that individuals that a had lower level of attentional bias to negative information benefited more from attenuating pain intensity rating induced by anodal HD-tDCS. Therefore, single-session anodal HD-tDCS modulates the sensory-discriminative aspect of pain perception as indexed by the increased pain threshold. In addition, the modulating effects of HD-tDCS on attenuating pain intensity to suprathreshold pain could be influenced by the participant’s negative attentional bias, which deserves to be taken into consideration in the clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinxin Lin
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junjie Yao
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shengxiong Chen
- Medical Rehabilitation Center, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Medical Rehabilitation Center, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Richu Jin
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Richu Jin,
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22
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Pondelis NJ, Moulton EA. Supraspinal Mechanisms Underlying Ocular Pain. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:768649. [PMID: 35211480 PMCID: PMC8862711 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.768649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Supraspinal mechanisms of pain are increasingly understood to underlie neuropathic ocular conditions previously thought to be exclusively peripheral in nature. Isolating individual causes of centralized chronic conditions and differentiating them is critical to understanding the mechanisms underlying neuropathic eye pain and ultimately its treatment. Though few functional imaging studies have focused on the eye as an end-organ for the transduction of noxious stimuli, the brain networks related to pain processing have been extensively studied with functional neuroimaging over the past 20 years. This article will review the supraspinal mechanisms that underlie pain as they relate to the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Pondelis
- Brain and Eye Pain Imaging Lab, Pain and Affective Neuroscience Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eric A Moulton
- Brain and Eye Pain Imaging Lab, Pain and Affective Neuroscience Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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23
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Li L, Huang H, Yu Y, Jia Y, Liu Z, Shi X, Wang F, Zhang T. Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Neuropathic Pain After Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:800560. [PMID: 35221889 PMCID: PMC8873374 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.800560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aims to systematically evaluate the effect of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on neuropathic pain (NP) after spinal cord injury and compare the effects of two different NIBS. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the effect of NIBS on NP after spinal cord injury (SCI) were retrieved from the databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, and CBM from inception to September 2021. The quality of the trials was assessed, and the data were extracted according to the Cochrane handbook of systematic review. Statistical analysis was conducted with Stata (version 16) and R software (version 4.0.2). Results A total of 17 studies involving 507 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that NIBS could reduce the pain score (SMD = −0.84, 95% CI −1.27 −0.40, P = 0.00) and the pain score during follow-up (SMD = −0.32, 95%CI −0.57 −0.07, P = 0.02), and the depression score of the NIBS group was not statistically significant than that of the control group (SMD = −0.43, 95%CI −0.89–0.02, P = 0.06). The network meta-analysis showed that the best probabilistic ranking of the effects of two different NIBS on the pain score was repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (P = 0.62) > transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (P = 0.38). Conclusion NIBS can relieve NP after SCI. The effect of rTMS on NP is superior to that of tDCS. We suggest that the rTMS parameters are 80–120% resting motion threshold and 5–20 Hz, while the tDCS parameters are 2 mA and 20 min. However, it is necessary to carry out more large-scale, multicenter, double-blind, high-quality RCT to explore the efficacy and mechanism of NIBS for NP after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Li
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hailiang Huang
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Hailiang Huang
| | - Ying Yu
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yuqi Jia
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Zhiyao Liu
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xin Shi
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Fangqi Wang
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
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24
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Bonifácio de Assis ED, Martins WKN, de Carvalho CD, Ferreira CM, Gomes R, de Almeida Rodrigues ET, Meira UM, de Holanda LJ, Lindquist AR, Morya E, Mendes CKTT, de Assis TCG, de Oliveira EA, Andrade SM. Effects of rTMS and tDCS on neuropathic pain after brachial plexus injury: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1440. [PMID: 35087138 PMCID: PMC8795394 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05254-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain after brachial plexus injury (NPBPI) is a highly disabling clinical condition and is increasingly prevalent due to increased motorcycle accidents. Currently, no randomized controlled trials have evaluated the effectiveness of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) in patients suffering from NPBPI. In this study, we directly compare the efficacy of 10-Hz rTMS and anodal 2 mA tDCS techniques applied over the motor cortex (5 daily consecutive sessions) in 20 patients with NPBPI, allocated into 2 parallel groups (active or sham). The order of the sessions was randomised for each of these treatment groups according to a crossover design and separated by a 30-day interval. Scores for "continuous" and "paroxysmal" pain (primary outcome) were tabulated after the last stimulation day and 30 days after. Secondary outcomes included the improvement in multidimensional aspects of pain, anxiety state and quality of life from a qualitative and quantitative approach. Active rTMS and tDCS were both superior to sham in reducing continuous (p < 0.001) and paroxysmal (p = 0.002; p = 0.02) pain as well as in multidimensional aspects of pain (p = 0.001; p = 0.002) and anxiety state (p = < 0.001; p = 0.005). Our results suggest rTMS and tDCS are able to treat NPBPI with little distinction in pain and anxiety state, which may promote the use of tDCS in brachial plexus injury pain management, as it constitutes an easier and more available technique.Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/, RBR-5xnjbc - Sep 3, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erickson Duarte Bonifácio de Assis
- Aging and Neuroscience Laboratory, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- State Hospital for Emergency and Trauma Senator Humberto Lucena, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Ruth Gomes
- Aging and Neuroscience Laboratory, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Evelyn Thais de Almeida Rodrigues
- Aging and Neuroscience Laboratory, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- State Hospital for Emergency and Trauma Senator Humberto Lucena, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Ussânio Mororó Meira
- Aging and Neuroscience Laboratory, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
- State Hospital for Emergency and Trauma Senator Humberto Lucena, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Ledycnarf Januário de Holanda
- Laboratory of Intervention and Analysis of Movement, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Ana Raquel Lindquist
- Laboratory of Intervention and Analysis of Movement, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Edgard Morya
- Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
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Jadidi AF, Stevenson AJT, Zarei AA, Jensen W, Lontis R. Effect of Modulated TENS on Corticospinal Excitability in Healthy Subjects. Neuroscience 2022; 485:53-64. [PMID: 35031397 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been reported to effectively alleviate chronic pain, including phantom limb pain (PLP). Recently, literature has focused on modulated TENS patterns, such as pulse width modulation (PWM) and burst modulation (BM), as alternatives to conventional, non-modulated (NM) sensory neurostimulation to increase the efficiency of rehabilitation. However, there is still limited knowledge of how these modulated TENS patterns affect corticospinal (CS) and motor cortex activity. Therefore, our aim was to first investigate the effect of modulated TENS patterns on CS activity and corticomotor map in healthy subjects. Motor evoked potentials (MEP) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) were recorded from three muscles before and after the application of TENS interventions. Four different TENS patterns (PWM, BM, NM 40 Hz, and NM 100 Hz) were applied. The results revealed significant facilitation of CS excitability following the PWM intervention. We also found an increase in the volume of the motor cortical map following the application of the PWM and NM (40 Hz). Although PLP alleviation has been reported to be associated with an enhancement of corticospinal excitability, the efficiency of the PWM intervention to induce pain alleviation should be validated in a future clinical study in amputees with PLP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armita Faghani Jadidi
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP) Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark.
| | | | - Ali Asghar Zarei
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP) Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - Winnie Jensen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP) Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - Romulus Lontis
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP) Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
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26
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A neuropsychosocial signature predicts longitudinal symptom changes in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1774-1791. [PMID: 34819635 PMCID: PMC9095468 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01375-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of brain-gut interactions characterized by chronic abdominal pain, altered bowel movements, often accompanied by somatic and psychiatric comorbidities. We aimed to test the hypothesis that a baseline phenotype composed of multi-modal neuroimaging and clinical features predicts clinical improvement on the IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) at 3 and 12 months without any targeted intervention. Female participants (N = 60) were identified as "improvers" (50-point decrease on IBS-SSS from baseline) or "non-improvers." Data integration analysis using latent components (DIABLO) was applied to a training and test dataset to determine whether a limited number of sets of multiple correlated baseline'omics data types, including brain morphometry, anatomical connectivity, resting-state functional connectivity, and clinical features could accurately predict improver status. The derived predictive models predicted improvement status at 3-months and 12-months with 91% and 83% accuracy, respectively. Across both time points, non-improvers were classified as having greater correlated morphometry, anatomical connectivity and resting-state functional connectivity characteristics within salience and sensorimotor networks associated with greater pain unpleasantness, but lower default mode network integrity and connectivity. This suggests that non-improvers have a greater engagement of attentional systems to perseverate on painful visceral stimuli, predicting IBS exacerbation. The ability of baseline multimodal brain-clinical signatures to predict symptom trajectories may have implications in guiding integrative treatment in the age of precision medicine, such as treatments targeted at changing attentional systems such as mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy.
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Analgesic Effects of Navigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Patients With Acute Central Poststroke Pain. Pain Ther 2021; 10:1085-1100. [PMID: 33866522 PMCID: PMC8586137 DOI: 10.1007/s40122-021-00261-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Central poststroke pain (CPSP) develops commonly after stroke, which impairs the quality of life, mood, and social functioning. Current pharmacological approaches for the treatment of CPSP are not satisfactory. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive technique which has been recommended for the treatment of chronic CPSP. However, few studies have evaluated the analgesic effects of rTMS in patients with acute neuropathic pain after stroke. METHODS We evaluated the analgesic effects of rTMS applied over the upper extremity area of the motor cortex (M1) in patients with acute CPSP. Forty patients were randomized to receive either rTMS (10 Hz, 2000 stimuli) (n = 20) or a sham intervention (n = 20) for 3 weeks. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire-2 (SF-MPQ-2, Chinese version), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and motor-evoked potentials (MEP) were analyzed at baseline, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks. RESULTS Significant treatment-time interactions were found for pain intensity. Compared with the sham group, the NRS and SF-MPQ-2 scores were significantly lower on the seventh day of treatment in the rTMS group (P < 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.302) (P = 0.003, Cohen's d = 0.771), and this effect lasted until the third week (P = 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.860) (P = 0.027, Cohen's d = 0.550). The HAM-A and HAM-D scores did not change in the rTMS group when compared with the sham group (P = 0.341, Cohen's d = 0.224) (P = 0.356, Cohen's d = 0.217). The serum BDNF levels were significantly higher in the treated group (P = 0.048, Cohen's d = -0.487), and the resting motor threshold (RMT) decreased by 163.65%. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that rTMS applied over the upper extremity area of the motor cortex can effectively alleviate acute CPSP, possibly by influencing cortical excitability and serum BDNF secretion. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial is registered with Clinical Trial Registry of China: Reg. No. ChiCTR-INR-17012880.
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28
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Huynh V, Lütolf R, Rosner J, Luechinger R, Curt A, Kollias S, Michels L, Hubli M. Descending pain modulatory efficiency in healthy subjects is related to structure and resting connectivity of brain regions. Neuroimage 2021; 247:118742. [PMID: 34863962 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The descending pain modulatory system in humans is commonly investigated using conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Whilst variability in CPM efficiency, i.e., inhibition and facilitation, is normal in healthy subjects, exploring the inter-relationship between brain structure, resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) and CPM readouts will provide greater insight into the underlying CPM efficiency seen in healthy individuals. Thus, this study combined CPM testing, voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and rsFC to identify the neural correlates of CPM in a cohort of healthy subjects (n =40), displaying pain inhibition (n = 29), facilitation (n = 10) and no CPM effect (n = 1). Clusters identified in the VBM analysis were implemented in the rsFC analysis alongside key constituents of the endogenous pain modulatory system. Greater pain inhibition was related to higher volume of left frontal cortices and stronger rsFC between the motor cortex and periaqueductal grey. Conversely, weaker pain inhibition was related to higher volume of the right frontal cortex - coupled with stronger rsFC to the primary somatosensory cortex, and rsFC between the amygdala and posterior insula. Overall, healthy subjects showed higher volume and stronger rsFC of brain regions involved with descending modulation, while the lateral and medial pain systems were related to greater pain inhibition and facilitation during CPM, respectively. These findings reveal structural alignments and functional interactions between supraspinal areas involved in CPM efficiency. Ultimately understanding these underlying variations and how they may become affected in chronic pain conditions, will advance a more targeted subgrouping in pain patients for future cross-sectional studies investigating endogenous pain modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Huynh
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich 8008, Switzerland.
| | - Robin Lütolf
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich 8008, Switzerland
| | - Jan Rosner
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich 8008, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bern, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Roger Luechinger
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich 8008, Switzerland
| | - Spyros Kollias
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lars Michels
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michèle Hubli
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich 8008, Switzerland
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Negrini-Ferrari SE, Medeiros P, Malvestio RB, de Oliveira Silva M, Medeiros AC, Coimbra NC, Machado HR, de Freitas RL. The primary motor cortex electrical and chemical stimulation attenuates the chronic neuropathic pain by activation of the periaqueductal grey matter: The role of NMDA receptors. Behav Brain Res 2021; 415:113522. [PMID: 34391797 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) is proper as a non-pharmacological therapy for patients with chronic and neuropathic pain (NP). AIMS This work aims to investigate if the MCS in the primary motor cortex (M1) produces analgesia and how the MCS could interfere in the MCS-induced analgesia. Also, to elucidate if the persistent activation of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAr) in the periaqueductal grey matter (PAG) can contribute to central sensitisation of the NP. METHODS Male Wistar rats were submitted to the von Frey test to evaluate the mechanical allodynia after 21 days of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. The MCS was performed with low-frequency (20 μA, 100 Hz) currents during 15 s by a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device. Moreover, the effect of M1-treatment with an NMDAr agonist (at 2, 4, and 8 nmol) was investigated in CCI rats. The PAG dorsomedial column (dmPAG) was pretreated with the NMDAr antagonist LY 235959 (at 8 nmol), followed by MCS. RESULTS The MCS decreased the mechanical allodynia in rats with chronic NP. The M1-treatment with an NMDA agonist at 2 and 8 nmol reduced the mechanical allodynia in CCI rats. In addition, dmPAG-pretreatment with LY 235959 at 8 nmol attenuated the mechanical allodynia evoked by MCS. CONCLUSION The M1 cortex glutamatergic system is involved in the modulation of chronic NP. The analgesic effect of MCS may depend on glutamate signaling recruitting NMDAr located on PAG neurons in rodents with chronic NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylmara Esther Negrini-Ferrari
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions and Multi-User Centre of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Priscila Medeiros
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions and Multi-User Centre of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Braghetto Malvestio
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions and Multi-User Centre of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Mariana de Oliveira Silva
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions and Multi-User Centre of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Medeiros
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions and Multi-User Centre of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions and Multi-User Centre of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Av. do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14050-220, Brazil
| | - Helio Rubens Machado
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions and Multi-User Centre of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Brain Protection Laboratory in Childhood, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renato Leonardo de Freitas
- Laboratory of Neurosciences of Pain & Emotions and Multi-User Centre of Neuroelectrophysiology, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil; Biomedical Sciences Institute, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Str. Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas, 37130-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Av. do Café, 2450, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14050-220, Brazil.
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Yao J, Li X, Zhang W, Lin X, Lyu X, Lou W, Peng W. Analgesia induced by anodal tDCS and high-frequency tRNS over the motor cortex: Immediate and sustained effects on pain perception. Brain Stimul 2021; 14:1174-1183. [PMID: 34371209 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have shown effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) and high-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) on elevating cortical excitability. Moreover, tRNS with a direct current (DC)-offset is more likely to lead to increases in cortical excitability than solely tRNS. While a-tDCS over primary motor cortex (M1) has been shown to attenuate pain perception, tRNS + DC-offset may prove as an effective means for pain relief. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine effects of a-tDCS and high-frequency tRNS + DC-offset over M1 on pain expectation and perception, and assess whether these effects could be influenced by the certainty of pain expectation. METHODS Using a double-blinded and sham-controlled design, 150 healthy participants were recruited to receive a single-session a-tDCS, high-frequency tRNS + DC-offset, or sham stimulation over M1. The expectation and perception of electrical stimulation in certain and uncertain contexts were assessed at baseline, immediately after, and 30 min after stimulation. RESULTS Compared with sham stimulation, a-tDCS induced immediate analgesic effects that were greater when the stimulation outcome was expected with uncertainty; tRNS induced immediate and sustained analgesic effects that were mediated by decreasing pain expectation. Nevertheless, we found no strong evidence for tRNS being more effective for attenuating pain than a-tDCS. CONCLUSIONS The analgesic effects of a-tDCS and tRNS showed different temporal courses, which could be related to the more sustained effectiveness of high-frequency tRNS + DC-offset in elevating cortical excitability. Moreover, expectations of pain intensity should be taken into consideration to maximize the benefits of neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Yao
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyun Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenyun Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinxin Lin
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaohan Lyu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wutao Lou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Weiwei Peng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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Bonifácio de Assis E, Dias de Carvalho C, Martins C, Andrade S. Beta-Endorphin as a Biomarker in the Treatment of Chronic Pain with Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation: A Systematic Scoping Review. J Pain Res 2021; 14:2191-2200. [PMID: 34321918 PMCID: PMC8302812 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s301447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A scoping review to synthesize evidence and assess articles describing the use of beta-endorphins as a pain biomarker in chronic pain patients treated with non-invasive brain stimulation techniques was systematically performed with respect to the study quality, the technique employed and the results. Independent reviewers determined if the article met the study criteria at each stage for it to be included. Content analysis was applied and summarized. The results are described in a narrative form grouped by pain condition, type of intervention, stimulation protocol, outcome measures and main results. A total of 67 of 73 references were excluded, and 6 identified studies met the inclusion criteria. The study design, sample size, stimulation type, session protocol and the main findings of each study were extracted. The studies in this scoping review ranged from unsatisfactory to good based on the adopted criteria, with no study achieving an excellent rating. There is limited evidence on the dosage of beta-endorphin in chronic pain conditions during treatment with NIBS. Based on this literature, evidence suggests that BE may not only be useful for acute and persistent pain, but also for a variety of chronic pain states in which opioids are not effective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Clarice Martins
- Neuroscience and Aging Laboratory, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Suellen Andrade
- Neuroscience and Aging Laboratory, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
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di Biase L, Falato E, Caminiti ML, Pecoraro PM, Narducci F, Di Lazzaro V. Focused Ultrasound (FUS) for Chronic Pain Management: Approved and Potential Applications. Neurol Res Int 2021; 2021:8438498. [PMID: 34258062 PMCID: PMC8261174 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8438498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is one of the leading causes of disability and disease burden worldwide, accounting for a prevalence between 6.9% and 10% in the general population. Pharmacotherapy alone results ineffective in about 70-60% of patients in terms of a satisfactory degree of pain relief. Focused ultrasound is a promising tool for chronic pain management, being approved for thalamotomy in chronic neuropathic pain and for bone metastases-related pain treatment. FUS is a noninvasive technique for neuromodulation and for tissue ablation that can be applied to several tissues. Transcranial FUS (tFUS) can lead to opposite biological effects, depending on stimulation parameters: from reversible neural activity facilitation or suppression (low-intensity, low-frequency ultrasound, LILFUS) to irreversible tissue ablation (high-intensity focused ultrasounds, HIFU). HIFU is approved for thalamotomy in neuropathic pain at the central nervous system level and for the treatment of facet joint osteoarthritis at the peripheral level. Potential applications include HIFU at the spinal cord level for selected cases of refractory chronic neuropathic pain, knee osteoarthritis, sacroiliac joint disease, intervertebral disc nucleolysis, phantom limb, and ablation of peripheral nerves. FUS at nonablative dosage, LILFUS, has potential reversible and tissue-selective effects. FUS applications at nonablative doses currently are at a research stage. The main potential applications include targeted drug and gene delivery through the Blood-Brain Barrier, assessment of pain thresholds and study of pain, and reversible peripheral nerve conduction block. The aim of the present review is to describe the approved and potential applications of the focused ultrasound technology in the field of chronic pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lazzaro di Biase
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
- Brain Innovations Lab, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Emma Falato
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Caminiti
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Pasquale Maria Pecoraro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Flavia Narducci
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, Rome 00128, Italy
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Lavrov I, Latypov T, Mukhametova E, Lundstrom BN, Sandroni P, Lee K, Klassen B, Stead M. Pre-motor versus motor cerebral cortex neuromodulation for chronic neuropathic pain. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12688. [PMID: 34135363 PMCID: PMC8209192 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91872-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex (ESCC) has been used to treat intractable neuropathic pain for nearly two decades, however, no standardized approach for this technique has been developed. In order to optimize targeting and validate the effect of ESCC before placing the permanent grid, we introduced initial assessment with trial stimulation, using a temporary grid of subdural electrodes. In this retrospective study we evaluate the role of electrode location on cerebral cortex in control of neuropathic pain and the role of trial stimulation in target-optimization for ESCC. Location of the temporary grid electrodes and location of permanent electrodes were evaluated in correlation with the long-term efficacy of ESCC. The results of this study demonstrate that the long-term effect of subdural pre-motor cortex stimulation is at least the same or higher compare to effect of subdural motor or combined pre-motor and motor cortex stimulation. These results also demonstrate that the initial trial stimulation helps to optimize permanent electrode positions in relation to the optimal functional target that is critical in cases when brain shift is expected. Proposed methodology and novel results open a new direction for development of neuromodulation techniques to control chronic neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Lavrov
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia.
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Timur Latypov
- Division of Brain, Imaging, and Behaviour Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elvira Mukhametova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | | | - Paola Sandroni
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Kendall Lee
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Bryan Klassen
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Matt Stead
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Li X, Yao J, Zhang W, Chen S, Peng W. Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on experimental pain perception: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:2163-2175. [PMID: 34284252 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many studies have examined the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on human pain perception in both healthy populations and pain patients. Nevertheless, studies have yielded conflicting results, likely due to differences in stimulation parameters, experimental paradigms, and outcome measures. Human experimental pain models that utilize indices of pain in response to well-controlled noxious stimuli can avoid many confounds present in clinical data. This study aimed to assess the robustness of tDCS effects on experimental pain perception among healthy populations. METHODS We conducted three meta-analyses that analyzed tDCS effects on ratings of perceived pain intensity to suprathreshold noxious stimuli, pain threshold and tolerance. RESULTS The meta-analyses showed a statically significant tDCS effect on attenuating pain-intensity ratings to suprathreshold noxious stimuli. In contrast, tDCS effects on pain threshold and pain tolerance were statistically non-significant. Moderator analysis further suggested that stimulation parameters (active electrode size and current density) and experimental pain modality moderated the effectiveness of tDCS in attenuating pain-intensity ratings. CONCLUSION The effectiveness of tDCS on attenuating experimental pain perception depends on both stimulation parameters of tDCS and the modality of experimental pain. SIGNIFICANCE This study provides some theoretical basis for the application of tDCS in pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Li
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junjie Yao
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenyun Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shengxiong Chen
- Medical Rehabilitation Center, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiwei Peng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
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Patricio P, Roy JS, Rohel A, Gariépy C, Émond C, Hamel É, Massé-Alarie H. The Effect of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation to Reduce Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clin J Pain 2021; 37:475-485. [PMID: 33949359 DOI: 10.1097/ajp.0000000000000934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We conducted a systematic review/meta-analysis to evaluate noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) efficacy to alleviate pain and improve disability in low back pain (LBP). MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic literature search was performed by a librarian in MEDLINE, Embase, EBM Reviews, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases (last search: January 14, 2021). Data were pooled by the number of sessions and follow-up periods. Independent reviewers performed screening, data extraction, and risk of bias. Pain reduction and disability were used as outcomes. RESULTS Twelve articles were included in the qualitative synthesis and 8 in the meta-analysis. A single session of NIBS reduced pain compared with sham (standardized mean difference: -0.47; P<0.001; very low-quality evidence). Repeated sessions of NIBS did not impact pain at short-term (mean difference [MD]: -0.31; P=0.23) or midterm (MD: -0.56; P=0.33; moderate quality evidence). Combining NIBS with cointerventions did not influence pain (MD: -0.31; P=0.30; moderate quality evidence). NIBS did not have a statistically significant impact on disability. DISCUSSION There is very low-quality evidence suggesting that a single NIBS session reduces LBP intensity. In contrast, there is moderate quality evidence that repeated NIBS sessions or combination with cointervention did not improve pain or disability. Thus, current results do not support NIBS use to treat chronic LBP. Considering that tDCS was tested in 8 of 12 studies with little success, studies focusing on different NIBS techniques or innovative parameters are required to determine their potential to improve pain and disability in chronic LBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Patricio
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Sébastien Roy
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Antoine Rohel
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Cynthia Gariépy
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University
| | - Camille Émond
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University
| | - Élodie Hamel
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University
| | - Hugo Massé-Alarie
- Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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36
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Cerrahoğlu Şirin T, Aksu S, Hasirci Bayir BR, Ulukan Ç, Karamürsel S, Kurt A, Baykan B. Is Allodynia a Determinant Factor in the Effectiveness of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Prophylaxis of Migraine? Neuromodulation 2021; 24:899-909. [PMID: 34058041 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Allodynia, the clinical marker of central sensitization, affects even simple daily living activities and increases the tendency for migraine to be more resistant to treatment and have a chronic course. Migraine that impairs quality of life can often be treated with variable pharmaceutical agents, but with various side effects. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a potential alternative treatment for migraine prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-seven patients diagnosed with migraine (48 with allodynia and 29 without allodynia) were included in the study. Randomly, 41 of the 77 patients received sham stimulation and 36 patients underwent three sessions of anodal left primary motor cortex stimulation for 2 mA, 20 min. Migraine attack characteristics (frequency, severity, and duration) and analgesic drug use were followed with headache diaries for one month after the stimulation. RESULTS After tDCS, migraine attack frequency (p = 0.021), the number of headache days (p = 0.005), duration of attacks (p = 0.008), and symptomatic analgesic drug use (p = 0.007) decreased in patients receiving active tDCS, compared to the sham group. The therapeutic gain of tDCS was calculated as 44% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22-60%) for headache days and 76% (95% CI: 55-86) for headache duration. Response to tDCS treatment was higher in patients without allodynia (60% vs. 24%; p = 0.028) and allodynia came out as an independent predictor of response to tDCS with logistic regression analysis. Side effects were rare and similar to the sham group. CONCLUSIONS tDCS is a safe, efficacious, and fast method for migraine prophylaxis. However, the administration of tDCS before allodynia occurs, that is, before central sensitization develops, will provide increased responsiveness to the treatment. SIGNIFICANCE tDCS is more effective before the development of allodynia, but it also improves the quality of life even after the development of allodynia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuba Cerrahoğlu Şirin
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serkan Aksu
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Buse Rahime Hasirci Bayir
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Çağrı Ulukan
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sacit Karamürsel
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Koc Universitesi, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Adnan Kurt
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Betül Baykan
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Motor Cortex Stimulation Reversed Hypernociception, Increased Serotonin in Raphe Neurons, and Caused Inhibition of Spinal Astrocytes in a Parkinson's Disease Rat Model. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051158. [PMID: 34064617 PMCID: PMC8150310 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent pain is a prevalent symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD), which is related to the loss of monoamines and neuroinflammation. Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) inhibits persistent pain by activating the descending analgesic pathways; however, its effectiveness in the control of PD-induced pain remains unclear. Here, we evaluated the analgesic efficacy of MCS together with serotonergic and spinal glial modulation in an experimental PD (ePD) rat model. Wistar rats with unilateral striatal 6-OHDA and MCS were assessed for behavioral immobility and nociceptive responses. The immunoreactivity of dopamine in the substantia nigra and serotonin in the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) and the neuronal, astrocytic, and microglial activation in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord were evaluated. MCS, without interfering with dopamine loss, reversed ePD-induced immobility and hypernociception. This response was accompanied by an exacerbated increase in serotonin in the NRM and a decrease in neuronal and astrocytic hyperactivation in the spinal cord, without inhibiting ePD-induced microglial hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Taken together, MCS induces analgesia in the ePD model, while restores the descending serotonergic pathway with consequent inhibition of spinal neurons and astrocytes, showing the role of MCS in PD-induced pain control.
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Invasive cortical stimulation. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2021; 159:23-45. [PMID: 34446248 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The field of neuromodulation, at its essence, aims to apply electrical stimulation to the brain to ameliorate various pathology. Many methods of applying this stimulation exist, including invasive and non-invasive means. In the realm of invasive stimulation, stimulation of the cortex remains one of the earliest techniques investigated, yet one of the most underutilized today. Evidence for the efficacy of direct invasive cortical stimulation continues to mount, especially in recent years. In this chapter we will review the evidence for the use of invasive cortical stimulation as it applies to neuropathic pain, epilepsy, psychiatric disease, movement disorders, tinnitus, and post-stroke recovery, as well explore some potential mechanisms and future directions of the technique.
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Gan Z, Li H, Naser PV, Oswald MJ, Kuner R. Suppression of neuropathic pain and comorbidities by recurrent cycles of repetitive transcranial direct current motor cortex stimulation in mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9735. [PMID: 33958647 PMCID: PMC8102487 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89122-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcranial, minimally-invasive stimulation of the primary motor cortex (M1) has recently emerged to show promise in treating clinically refractory neuropathic pain. However, there is a major need for improving efficacy, reducing variability and understanding mechanisms. Rodent models hold promise in helping to overcome these obstacles. However, there still remains a major divide between clinical and preclinical studies with respect to stimulation programs, analysis of pain as a multidimensional sensory-affective-motivational state and lack of focus on chronic phases of established pain. Here, we employed direct transcranial M1 stimulation (M1 tDCS) either as a single 5-day block or recurring blocks of repetitive stimulation over early or chronic phases of peripherally-induced neuropathic pain in mice. We report that repeated blocks of stimulation reverse established neuropathic mechanical allodynia more strongly than a single 5-day regime and also suppress cold allodynia, aversive behavior and anxiety without adversely affecting motor function over a long period. Activity mapping revealed highly selective alterations in the posterior insula, periaqueductal gray subdivisions and superficial spinal laminae in reversal of mechanical allodynia. Our preclinical data reveal multimodal analgesia and improvement in quality of life by multiple blocks of M1 tDCS and uncover underlying brain networks, thus helping promote clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Gan
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Han Li
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul Vincent Naser
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manfred Josef Oswald
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rohini Kuner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Xin Z, Abe Y, Liu S, Tanaka KF, Hosomi K, Saitoh Y, Sekino M. Direct Impact of Motor Cortical Stimulation on the Blood Oxygen-level Dependent Response in Rats. Magn Reson Med Sci 2021; 20:83-90. [PMID: 32307360 PMCID: PMC7952200 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.mp.2019-0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Neuropathic pain is a complex and distressing chronic illness in modern medicine. Since 1990s, motor cortex stimulation (MCS) has emerged as a potential treatment for chronic neuropathic pain; however, the precise mechanisms underlying analgesia induced by MCS are not completely understood. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) response in the brain during MCS. Methods: We inserted a bipolar tungsten electrode into the primary motor cortex (M1) of adult male Wistar rats. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were implemented simultaneously with the electrical stimulation of M1 and the BOLD signals taken from the fMRI were used as an index to reflect the response against MCS. Results: Our results demonstrated that the bilateral M1, ipsilateral caudate-putamen, and ipsilateral primary somatosensory cortex to the stimulation spot were activated after the onset of MCS. The BOLD signal time courses were analysed in these regions and similar temporal characteristics were found. Conclusion: By conducting direct cortical stimulation of the rodent brain to investigate its instant effect using fMRI, we identified encephalic regions directly involved in the instant motor cortical stimulation effects in healthy rat models. This result may be essential in establishing a foundation for further research on the underlying neuropathways associated with the MCS effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghao Xin
- School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
| | - Yoshifumi Abe
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine
| | - Shuang Liu
- School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
| | - Kenji F Tanaka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine
| | - Koichi Hosomi
- Department of Neuromodulation and Neurosurgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Youichi Saitoh
- Department of Neuromodulation and Neurosurgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
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Repetitive non-invasive prefrontal stimulation reverses neuropathic pain via neural remodelling in mice. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 201:102009. [PMID: 33621593 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain presents a major challenge to pharmacological therapy and neurostimulation-based alternatives are gaining interest. Although invasive and non-invasive motor cortex stimulation has been the focus of several studies, very little is known about the potential of targeting the prefrontal cortex. This study was designed to elucidate the analgesic potential of prefrontal stimulation in a translational context and to uncover the neural underpinnings thereof. Here, we report that non-invasive, repetitive direct anodal current transcranial stimulation (tDCS) of the prefrontal cortex exerted analgesia in mice with neuropathic pain for longer than a week. When applied at chronic stages of neuropathic pain, prefrontal tDCS reversed established allodynia and suppressed aversion and anxiety-related behaviours. Activity mapping as well as in vivo electrophysiological analyses revealed that although the cortex responds to acute tDCS with major excitation, repetitive prefrontal tDCS brings about large-scale silencing of cortical activity. Different classes of different classes of GABAergic interneurons and classes of excitatory neurons differs dramatically between single, acute vs and repetitive tDCS. Repetitive prefrontal tDCS alters basal activity as well as responsivity of a discrete set of distant cortical and sub-cortical areas to tactile stimuli, namely the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, the insular cortex, the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey and the spinal dorsal horn. This study thus makes a strong case for harnessing prefrontal cortical modulation for non-invasive transcranial stimulation paradigms to achieve long-lasting pain relief in established neuropathic pain states and provides valuable insights gained on neural mechanistic underpinnings of prefrontal tDCS in neuropathic pain.
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Chehade HD, Kobaïter-Maarrawi S, Komboz F, Farhat JP, Magnin M, Garcia-Larrea L, Maarrawi J. Somatosensory Thalamic Activity Modulation by Posterior Insular Stimulation: Cues to Clinical Application Based on Comparison of Frequencies in a Cat Model. Neuromodulation 2020; 24:229-239. [PMID: 33340196 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The posterior insula (PI) has been proposed as a potential neurostimulation target for neuropathic pain relief as it represents a key-structure in pain processing. However, currently available data remain inconclusive as to efficient stimulation parameters. OBJECTIVE As frequency was shown to be the most correlated parameter to pain relief, this study aims to evaluate the potential modulatory effects of low frequency (LF-IS, 50 Hz) and high-frequency (HF-IS, 150 Hz) posterior insular stimulation on the activity of somatosensory thalamic nuclei. MATERIALS AND METHODS Epidural bipolar electrodes were placed over the PI of healthy adult cats, and extracellular single-unit activities of nociceptive (NS), nonnociceptive (NN), and wide dynamic range (WDR) thalamic cells were recorded within the ventral posterolateral nucleus and the medial division of the thalamic posterior complex. Mean discharge frequency and burst firing mode were analyzed before and after either LF-IS or HF-IS. RESULTS LF-IS showed a significant thalamic modulatory effects increasing the firing rate of NN cells (p ≤ 0.03) and decreasing the burst firing of NS cells (p ≤ 0.03), independently of the thalamic nucleus. Conversely, HF-IS did not induce any change in firing properties of the three recorded cell types. CONCLUSION These data indicate that 50 Hz IS could be a better candidate to control neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiba-Douja Chehade
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience - Pôle technologie santé - Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sandra Kobaïter-Maarrawi
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience - Pôle technologie santé - Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fares Komboz
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience - Pôle technologie santé - Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jean-Paul Farhat
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience - Pôle technologie santé - Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Michel Magnin
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience - Pôle technologie santé - Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Luis Garcia-Larrea
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience - Pôle technologie santé - Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Joseph Maarrawi
- Laboratory of Research in Neuroscience - Pôle technologie santé - Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Nüssel M, Hamperl M, Maslarova A, Chaudhry SR, Köhn J, Stadlbauer A, Buchfelder M, Kinfe T. Burst Motor Cortex Stimulation Evokes Sustained Suppression of Thalamic Stroke Pain: A Narrative Review and Single-Case Overview. Pain Ther 2020; 10:101-114. [PMID: 33325005 PMCID: PMC8119548 DOI: 10.1007/s40122-020-00221-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic refractory central post-stroke pain (CPSP), one of the most disabling consequences of cerebral stroke, occurs in up to 10% of patients with CPSP. Because a considerable proportion of these patients with chronic pain remain resistant to pharmacological and behavioral therapies, adjunctive invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation therapies are needed. We performed a review of human studies applying burst and conventional motor cortex stimulation (burstMCS and cMCS, respectively) for chronic pain states, on the basis of data sources identified through searches of PubMed, MEDLINE/OVID, and SCOPUS, as well as manual searches of the bibliographies of known primary and review articles. Our aim was to review and discuss clinical data on the indications of burstMCS for various chronic pain states originating from central stroke (excluding trigeminal facial pain). In addition, we assessed the efficacy and safety of burst versus cMCS for central post-stroke pain with an extended follow-up of 5 years in a 60-year-old man. According to our review, uncontrolled observational human cohort studies and one RCT using cMCS waveforms have revealed a meaningful clinical response; however, these studies lacked placebo groups and extended observation periods. In our case report, we found that 3 months of adjunctive cMCS reduced pain levels [visual analog scale (VAS) pre: 9/10 versus VAS post 7/10], whereas the pain decreased further under burstMCS (VAS pre: 7/10 versus VAS post: 2/10); the study involved a follow-up of 5 years and the following parameters: burst rate 40 Hz (500 Hz), 1–1.75 mA, 1 ms, bipolar configuration. To date, only limited evidence exists for the efficacy and safety of burst motor cortex stimulation for the treatment of refractory chronic pain. BurstMCS resulted in significantly decreased post-stroke pain observed after 5 years of cMCS. The available literature suggests similar efficacy as that of conventional (tonic) motor cortex stimulation, although the results are preliminary. Mechanistically, the precise mechanism of action is not fully understood. However, burstMCS may interact with the nociceptive thalamic-cingulate and descending spinal pain networks. To determine the potential utility of this treatment, large-scale sham-controlled trials comparing cMCS and burstMCS are highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Nüssel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Melanie Hamperl
- Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna Maslarova
- Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Shafqat R Chaudhry
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shifa Tameer-E-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Julia Köhn
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Stadlbauer
- Institute of Medical Radiology, University Clinic St. Pölten, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, St. Pölten, Austria
| | - Michael Buchfelder
- Department of Neurosurgery, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kinfe
- Division of Functional Neurosurgery and Stereotaxy, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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Zhang S, Zhornitsky S, Wang W, Dhingra I, Le TM, Li CSR. Cue-elicited functional connectivity of the periaqueductal gray and tonic cocaine craving. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 216:108240. [PMID: 32853997 PMCID: PMC7606798 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Withdrawal from chronic cocaine use leads to anxiety and dysphoria that may perpetuate habitual drug use. The pain circuit is widely implicated in the processing and manifestations of negative emotions. Numerous studies have focused on characterizing reward circuit dysfunction but relatively little is known about the pain circuit response during cocaine withdrawal. METHODS Here we examined the activity and connectivity of the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a hub of the pain circuit, during cocaine cue exposure in 52 recently abstinent cocaine dependent participants (CD, 42 men). Imaging data were processed with published routines, and the results were evaluated at a corrected threshold. RESULTS CD showed higher activation of the PAG and connectivity of the PAG with the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) during cocaine as compared to neutral cue exposure. PAG-vmPFC connectivity was positively and negatively correlated with tonic cocaine craving, as assessed by the Cocaine Craving Questionnaire, in male and female CD, respectively, and the sex difference was confirmed by a slope test. Granger causality analyses showed that the PAG Granger caused vmPFC time series in men and the reverse was true in women, substantiating sex differences in the directional interactions of the PAG and vmPFC. CONCLUSION The findings provide the first evidence in humans implicating the PAG circuit in cocaine withdrawal and cocaine craving and advance our understanding of the role of the pain circuit and negative reinforcement in sustaining habitual drug use in cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.
| | - Simon Zhornitsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Wuyi Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Isha Dhingra
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Thang M. Le
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Chiang-shan R. Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT,Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT
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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: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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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Klírová M, Hejzlar M, Kostýlková L, Mohr P, Rokyta R, Novák T. Prolonged Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Motor Cortex Modulates Cortical Excitability But not Pain Perception. Front Syst Neurosci 2020; 14:27. [PMID: 32670027 PMCID: PMC7326109 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2020.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, theta-burst stimulation (TBS) has become a focus of interest in neurostimulatory research. Compared to conventional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), TBS produces more robust changes in cortical excitability (CE). There is also some evidence of an analgesic effect of the method. Previously published studies have suggested that different TBS parameters elicit opposite effects of TBS on CE. While intermittent TBS (iTBS) facilitates CE, continuous TBS (cTBS) attenuates it. However, prolonged TBS (pTBS) with twice the number of stimuli produces the opposite effect. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study with healthy subjects (n = 24), we investigated the effects of various pTBS (cTBS, iTBS, and placebo TBS) over the right motor cortex on CE and pain perception. Changes in resting motor thresholds (RMTs) and absolute motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes were assessed before and at two time-points (0–5 min; 40–45 min) after pTBS. Tactile and thermal pain thresholds were measured before and 5 min after application. Compared to the placebo, prolonged cTBS (pcTBS) transiently increased MEP amplitudes, while no significant changes were found after prolonged iTBS. However, the facilitation of CE after pcTBS did not induce a parallel analgesic effect. We confirmed that pcTBS with twice the duration converts the conventional inhibitory effect into a facilitatory one. Despite the short-term boost of CE following pcTBS, a corresponding analgesic effect was not demonstrated. Therefore, the results indicate a more complex regulation of pain, which cannot be explained entirely by the modulation of excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Klírová
- Clinical Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Department of Psychiatry, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Hejzlar
- Clinical Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Department of Psychiatry, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Lenka Kostýlková
- Clinical Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Department of Psychiatry, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Mohr
- Clinical Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Department of Psychiatry, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Richard Rokyta
- Department of Normal, Pathological and Clinical Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tomáš Novák
- Clinical Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Department of Psychiatry, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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Alwardat M, Pisani A, Etoom M, Carpenedo R, Chinè E, Dauri M, Leonardis F, Natoli S. Is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) effective for chronic low back pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020; 127:1257-1270. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-020-02223-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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48
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Pommier B, Quesada C, Nuti C, Peyron R, Vassal F. Is the analgesic effect of motor cortex stimulation somatotopically driven or not? Neurophysiol Clin 2020; 50:195-203. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Pollonini L, Miao H, Ahn H. Longitudinal effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on knee osteoarthritis patients measured by functional infrared spectroscopy: a pilot study. NEUROPHOTONICS 2020; 7:025004. [PMID: 32411812 PMCID: PMC7203445 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.7.2.025004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease causing chronic pain and functional alterations (stiffness and swelling) in the elderly population. OA is currently treated pharmacologically with analgesics, although neuromodulation via transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has recently generated a growing interest as a safe side-effect free treatment alternative or a complement to medications for chronic pain conditions. Although a number of studies have shown that tDCS has a beneficial effect on behavioral measures of pain, the mechanistic action of neuromodulation on pain sensitivity and coping at the central nervous system is not well understood. Aim: We aimed at observing longitudinal changes of cortical hemodynamics in older adults with knee OA associated with a two-week-long tDCS self-treatment protocol. Approach: Hemodynamics was measured bilaterally in the motor and somatosensory cortices with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in response to thermal pain induced ipsilaterally to the knee primarily affected by OA. Results: We found that both oxyhemoglobin- and deoxyhemoglobin-related functional activations significantly increased during the course of the tDCS treatment, supporting the notion that tDCS yields an increased cortical excitability. Concurrently, clinical measures of pain decreased with tDCS treatment, hinting at a potential spatial dissociation between cortically mediated pain perception and suppression and the prevalence of neuromodulatory effects over cortical pain processing. Conclusions: fNIRS is a valid method for objectively tracking pain in an ambulatory setting and it could potentially be used to inform strategies for optimized tDCS treatment and to develop innovative tDCS protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Pollonini
- University of Houston, Department of Engineering Technology, Houston, Texas, United States
- University of Houston, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Hongyu Miao
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Hyochol Ahn
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Cizik School of Nursing, Houston, Texas, United States
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Gentile E, Brunetti A, Ricci K, Delussi M, Bevilacqua V, de Tommaso M. Mutual interaction between motor cortex activation and pain in fibromyalgia: EEG-fNIRS study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228158. [PMID: 31971993 PMCID: PMC6977766 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experimental and clinical studies suggested an analgesic effect on chronic pain by motor cortex activation. The present study explored the complex mechanisms of interaction between motor and pain during performing the slow and fast finger tapping task alone and in concomitant with nociceptive laser stimulation. METHOD The participants were 38 patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and 21 healthy subjects. We used a simultaneous multimodal method of laser-evoked potentials and functional near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate metabolic and electrical changes during the finger tapping task and concomitant noxious laser stimulation. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy is a portable and optical method to detect cortical metabolic changes. Laser-evoked potentials are a suitable tool to study the nociceptive pathways function. RESULTS We found a reduced tone of cortical motor areas in patients with FM compared to controls, especially during the fast finger tapping task. FM patients presented a slow motor performance in all the experimental conditions, requesting rapid movements. The amplitude of laser evoked potentials was different between patients and controls, in each experimental condition, as patients showed smaller evoked responses compared to controls. Concurrent phasic pain stimulation had a low effect on motor cortex metabolism in both groups nor motor activity changed laser evoked responses in a relevant way. There were no correlations between Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (FNIRS) and clinical features in FM patients. CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that a low tone of motor cortex activation could be an intrinsic feature in FM and generate a scarce modulation on pain condition. A simple and repetitive movement such as that of the finger tapping task seems inefficacious in modulating cortical responses to pain both in patients and controls. The complex mechanisms of interaction between networks involved in pain control and motor function require further studies for the important role they play in structuring rehabilitation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Gentile
- Applied Neurophysiology and Pain Unit, SMBNOS Department, Bari Aldo Moro University, Polyclinic General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Brunetti
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Polytecnic University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Katia Ricci
- Applied Neurophysiology and Pain Unit, SMBNOS Department, Bari Aldo Moro University, Polyclinic General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Marianna Delussi
- Applied Neurophysiology and Pain Unit, SMBNOS Department, Bari Aldo Moro University, Polyclinic General Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Vitoantonio Bevilacqua
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Polytecnic University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marina de Tommaso
- Applied Neurophysiology and Pain Unit, SMBNOS Department, Bari Aldo Moro University, Polyclinic General Hospital, Bari, Italy
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