1
|
Fazio L, Naik VN, Therpurakal RN, Gomez Osorio FM, Rychlik N, Ladewig J, Strüber M, Cerina M, Meuth SG, Budde T. Retigabine, a potassium channel opener, restores thalamocortical neuron functionality in a murine model of autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 122:202-215. [PMID: 39142423 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.08.023] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease, whose primary hallmark is the occurrence of inflammatory lesions in white and grey matter structures. Increasing evidence in MS patients and respective murine models reported an impaired ionic homeostasis driven by inflammatory-demyelination, thereby profoundly affecting signal propagation. However, the impact of a focal inflammatory lesion on single-cell and network functionality has hitherto not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVES In this study, we sought to determine the consequences of a localized cortical inflammatory lesion on the excitability and firing pattern of thalamic neurons in the auditory system. Moreover, we tested the neuroprotective effect of Retigabine (RTG), a specific Kv7 channel opener, on disease outcome. METHODS To resemble the human disease, we focally administered pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IFN-γ, in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of MOG35-55 immunized mice. Thereafter, we investigated the impact of the induced inflammatory milieu on afferent thalamocortical (TC) neurons, by performing ex vivo recordings. Moreover, we explored the effect of Kv7 channel modulation with RTG on auditory information processing, using in vivo electrophysiological approaches. RESULTS Our results revealed that a cortical inflammatory lesion profoundly affected the excitability and firing pattern of neighboring TC neurons. Noteworthy, RTG restored control-like values and TC tonotopic mapping. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that RTG treatment might robustly mitigate inflammation-induced altered excitability and preserve ascending information processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Fazio
- Department of Neurology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Venu Narayanan Naik
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | | | | | - Nicole Rychlik
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Julia Ladewig
- Department of Translational Brain Research, Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI), University of Heidelberg/Medical Faculty Mannheim, Germany; HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, Mannheim, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Michael Strüber
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Manuela Cerina
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sven G Meuth
- Department of Neurology, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Thomas Budde
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mao C, Yang H, Dong T, Wang S, Shi Z, Guo R, Zhou X, Zhang B, Zhang Q. Thalamocortical dysconnectivity is associated with pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Eur J Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 39233436 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16531] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that the morphology and function of the thalamus and cortex are abnormal in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, whether the thalamocortical network is differentially affected in this disorder is unknown. In this study, we examined functional and effective connectivity between the thalamus and major divisions of the cortex in 27 healthy controls and 27 KOA patients using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We also explored the topological features of the brain via graph theory analysis. The results suggested that patients with KOA had significantly reduced resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the thalamo-sensorimotor pathway; enhanced rsFC of the thalamo-medial/lateral frontal cortex (mFC/LFC), parietal, temporal and occipital pathways; reduced effective connectivity of the left sensorimotor-to-thalamus pathway; and enhanced effective connectivity of the right thalamus-to-sensorimotor pathway compared with healthy controls. The functional connectivity of the thalamo-sensorimotor and thalamo-mFC pathways was enhanced when patients performed the multisource interference task. Moreover, patients with KOA presented altered nodal properties associated with thalamocortical circuits, including the thalamus, amygdala, and regions in default mode networks, compared with healthy controls. The correlation analysis suggested a significant negative correlation between thalamo-mFC rsFC and pain intensity, between thalamo-sensorimotor task-related connectivity and disease duration/depression scores, and a positive correlation between right frontal nodal properties and pain intensity in KOA patients. Taken together, these findings establish abnormal and differential alterations in the thalamocortical network associated with pain characteristics in KOA patients, which extends our understanding of their role in the pathophysiology of KOA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cuiping Mao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huajuan Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ting Dong
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sisi Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhibin Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruibing Guo
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoqian Zhou
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiujuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Demori I, Losacco S, Giordano G, Mucci V, Blanchini F, Burlando B. Fibromyalgia pathogenesis explained by a neuroendocrine multistable model. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303573. [PMID: 38990866 PMCID: PMC11238986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a central disorder characterized by chronic pain, fatigue, insomnia, depression, and other minor symptoms. Knowledge about pathogenesis is lacking, diagnosis difficult, clinical approach puzzling, and patient management disappointing. We conducted a theoretical study based on literature data and computational analysis, aimed at developing a comprehensive model of FM pathogenesis and addressing suitable therapeutic targets. We started from the evidence that FM must involve a dysregulation of central pain processing, is female prevalent, suggesting a role for the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and is stress-related, suggesting a role for the HP-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. Central pathogenesis was supposed to involve a pain processing loop system including the thalamic ventroposterolateral nucleus (VPL), the primary somatosensory cortex (SSC), and the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). For decreasing GABAergic and/or increasing glutamatergic transmission, the loop system crosses a bifurcation point, switching from monostable to bistable, and converging on a high-firing-rate steady state supposed to be the pathogenic condition. Thereafter, we showed that GABAergic transmission is positively correlated with gonadal-hormone-derived neurosteroids, notably allopregnanolone, whereas glutamatergic transmission is positively correlated with stress-induced glucocorticoids, notably cortisol. Finally, we built a dynamic model describing a multistable, double-inhibitory loop between HPG and HPA axes. This system has a high-HPA/low-HPG steady state, allegedly reached in females under combined premenstrual/postpartum brain allopregnanolone withdrawal and stress condition, driving the thalamocortical loop to the high-firing-rate steady state, and explaining the connection between endocrine and neural mechanisms in FM pathogenesis. Our model accounts for FM female prevalence and stress correlation, suggesting the use of neurosteroid drugs as a possible solution to currently unsolved problems in the clinical treatment of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Demori
- Department of Pharmacy, DIFAR, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Serena Losacco
- Department of Pharmacy, DIFAR, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Giulia Giordano
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, (TN), Italy
- Delft Center for Systems and Control, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Viviana Mucci
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Franco Blanchini
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Bruno Burlando
- Department of Pharmacy, DIFAR, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang B, Guo M, Dong T, Yang H, Zhang Q, Yang Q, Zhou X, Mao C, Zhang M. Disrupted Resting-State Functional Connectivity and Effective Connectivity of the Nucleus Accumbens in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Pain Res 2024; 17:2133-2146. [PMID: 38915479 PMCID: PMC11194467 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s455239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a recurring and intractable disease that is often accompanied by emotional and cognitive disorders such as depression and anxiety. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays an important role in mediating emotional and cognitive processes and analgesia. This study investigated the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) and effective connectivity (EC) of NAc and its subregions in cLBP. Methods Thirty-four cLBP patients and 34 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Seed-based rsFC and Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM) were used to examine the alteration of the rsFC and EC of the NAc. Results Our results showed that the cLBP group had increased rsFC of the bilateral NAc-left superior frontal cortex (SFC), orbital frontal cortex (OFC), left angular gyrus, the left NAc-bilateral middle temporal gyrus, as well as decreased rsFC of left NAc-left supramarginal gyrus, right precentral gyrus, left cerebellum, brainstem (medulla oblongata), and right insula pathways compared with the HC; the results of the subregions were largely consistent with the whole NAc. In addition, the rsFC of the left NAc-left SFC was negatively correlated with Hamilton's Depression Scale (HAMD) scores (r = -0.402, p = 0.018), and the rsFC of left NAc-OFC was positively correlated with present pain intensity scores (r = 0.406, p = 0.017) in the cLBP group. DCM showed that the cLBP group showed significantly increased EC from the left cerebellum to the right NAc (p = 0.012) as compared with HC. Conclusion Overall, our findings demonstrate aberrant rsFC and EC between NAc and regions that are associated with emotional regulation and cognitive processing in individuals with cLBP, underscoring the pivotal roles of emotion and cognition in cLBP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minmin Guo
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting Dong
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huajuan Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiujuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Quanxin Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqian Zhou
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Mao
- Department of Medical Imaging, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Guo F, Lin SD, Du Y, Hu TT, Wang Y, Chen Z, Zhang SH. Secondary somatosensory cortex glutamatergic innervation of the thalamus facilitates pain. Pain 2024; 165:1142-1153. [PMID: 38112733 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Although the secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) is known to be involved in pain perception, its role in pain modulation and neuropathic pain is yet unknown. In this study, we found that glutamatergic neurons in deep layers of the SII (SII Glu ) responded to bilateral sensory inputs by changing their firing with most being inhibited by contralateral noxious stimulation. Optical inhibition and activation of unilateral SII Glu reduced and enhanced bilateral nociceptive sensitivity, respectively, without affecting mood status. Tracing experiments revealed that SII Glu sent dense monosynaptic projections to the posterolateral nucleus (VPL) and the posterior nucleus (Po) of the thalamus. Optical inhibition and activation of projection terminals of SII Glu in the unilateral VPL and Po inhibited and facilitated pain on the contralateral side, respectively. After partial sciatic nerve ligation, SII Glu became hyperactive as evidenced by higher frequency of spontaneous firing, but the response patterns to peripheral stimulation remained. Optical inhibition of SII Glu alleviated not only bilateral mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia but also the negative affect associated with spontaneous pain. Inhibition of SII Glu terminals in the VPL and Po also relieved neuropathic pain. This study revealed that SII Glu and the circuits to the VPL and Po constitute a part of the endogenous pain modulatory network. These corticothalamic circuits became hyperactive after peripheral nerve injury, hence contributes to neuropathic pain. These results justify proper inhibition of SII Glu and associated neural circuits as a potential clinical strategy for neuropathic pain treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Da Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting-Ting Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Hong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Miltner WHR, Franz M, Naumann E. Neuroscientific results of experimental studies on the control of acute pain with hypnosis and suggested analgesia. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1371636. [PMID: 38638524 PMCID: PMC11025616 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1371636] [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: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
This narrative review summarizes a representative collection of electrophysiological and imaging studies on the neural processes and brain sources underlying hypnotic trance and the effects of hypnotic suggestions on the processing of experimentally induced painful events. It complements several reviews on the effect of hypnosis on brain processes and structures of chronic pain processing. Based on a summary of previous findings on the neuronal processing of experimentally applied pain stimuli and their effects on neuronal brain structures in healthy subjects, three neurophysiological methods are then presented that examine which of these neuronal processes and structures get demonstrably altered by hypnosis and can thus be interpreted as neuronal signatures of the effect of analgesic suggestions: (A) On a more global neuronal level, these are electrical processes of the brain that can be recorded from the cranial surface of the brain with magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG). (B) On a second level, so-called evoked (EPs) or event-related potentials (ERPs) are discussed, which represent a subset of the brain electrical parameters of the EEG. (C) Thirdly, imaging procedures are summarized that focus on brain structures involved in the processing of pain states and belong to the main imaging procedures of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI/fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). Finally, these different approaches are summarized in a discussion, and some research and methodological suggestions are made as to how this research could be improved in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang H. R. Miltner
- Institute of Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Jena, Thuringia, Germany
| | - Marcel Franz
- Institute of Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Jena, Thuringia, Germany
| | - Ewald Naumann
- Institute of Psychology, University of Trier, Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sadvandi G, Kianfar AE, Becker K, Heinzel A, Wolf M, Said‐Yekta Michael S. Systematic review on effects of experimental orthodontic tooth displacement on brain activation assessed by fMRI. Clin Exp Dent Res 2024; 10:e879. [PMID: 38558512 PMCID: PMC10982672 DOI: 10.1002/cre2.879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Orthodontic treatment is often accompanied by discomfort and pain in patients, which are believed to be a result of orthodontic tooth displacement caused by the mechanical forces exerted by the orthodontic appliances on the periodontal tissues. These lead to change blood oxygen level dependent response in related brain regions. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to assess the impact of experimental orthodontic tooth displacement on alterations in central nervous system activation assessed by tasked based and resting state fMRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search was conducted using online databases, following PRISMA guidelines and the PICO framework. Selected studies utilized magnetic resonance imaging to examine the brain activity changes in healthy participants after the insertion of orthodontic appliances. RESULTS The initial database screening resulted in 791 studies. Of these, 234 were duplicates and 547 were deemed irrelevant considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the ten remaining potential relevant studies, two were excluded during full-text screening. Eight prospective articles were eligible for further analysis. The included studies provided evidence of the intricate interplay between orthodontic treatment, pain perception, and brain function. All of the participants in the included studies employed orthodontic separators in short-term experiments to induce tooth displacement during the early stage of orthodontic treatment. Alterations in brain activation were observed in brain regions, functional connectivity and brain networks, predominantly affecting regions implicated in nociception (thalamus, insula), emotion (insula, frontal areas), and cognition (frontal areas, cerebellum, default mode network). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that orthodontic treatment influences beyond the pain matrix and affects other brain regions including the limbic system. Furthermore, understanding the orthodontically induced brain activation can aid in development of targeted pain management strategies that do not adversely affect orthodontic tooth movement. Due to the moderate to serious risk of bias and the heterogeneity among the included studies, further clinical trials on this subject are recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gelareh Sadvandi
- Department of OrthodonticsRWTH Aachen University HospitalGermany
| | | | - Kathrin Becker
- Department of Dentofacial Orthopedics and OrthodonticsCharité Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinCC03Germany
| | - Alexander Heinzel
- Department of Nuclear MedicineMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalleGermany
| | - Michael Wolf
- Department of OrthodonticsRWTH Aachen University HospitalGermany
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ahmed AK, Zhuo J, Gullapalli RP, Jiang L, Keaser ML, Greenspan JD, Chen C, Miller TR, Melhem ER, Sansur CA, Eisenberg HM, Gandhi D. Focused Ultrasound Central Lateral Thalamotomy for the Treatment of Refractory Neuropathic Pain: Phase I Trial. Neurosurgery 2024; 94:690-699. [PMID: 37947407 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) central lateral thalamotomy (CLT) has not yet been validated for treating refractory neuropathic pain (NP). Our aim was to assess the safety and potential efficacy of MRgFUS CLT for refractory NP. METHODS In this prospective, nonrandomized, single-arm, investigator-initiated phase I trial, patients with NP for more than 6 months related to phantom limb pain, spinal cord injury, or radiculopathy/radicular injury and who had undergone at least one previous failed intervention were eligible. The main outcomes were safety profile and pain as assessed using the brief pain inventory, the pain disability index, and the numeric rating scale. Medication use and the functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) were also assessed. RESULTS Ten patients were enrolled, with nine achieving successful ablation. There were no serious adverse events and 12 mild/moderate severity events. The mean age was 50.9 years (SD: 12.7), and the mean symptom duration was 12.3 years (SD: 9.7). Among eight patients with a 1-year follow-up, the brief pain inventory decreased from 7.6 (SD: 1.1) to 3.8 (SD: 2.8), with a mean percent decrease of 46.3 (SD: 40.6) (paired t -test, P = .017). The mean pain disability index decreased from 43.0 (SD: 7.5) to 25.8 (SD: 16.8), with a mean percent decrease of 39.3 (SD: 41.6) ( P = .034). Numeric rating scale scores decreased from a mean of 7.2 (SD: 1.8) to 4.0 (SD: 2.8), with a mean percent decrease of 42.8 (SD: 37.8) ( P = .024). Patients with predominantly intermittent pain or with allodynia responded better than patients with continuous pain or without allodynia, respectively. Some patients decreased medication use. Resting-state functional connectivity changes were noted, from disruption of the DMN at baseline to reactivation of connectivity between DMN nodes at 3 months. CONCLUSION MRgFUS CLT is feasible and safe for refractory NP and has potential utility in reducing symptoms as measured by validated pain scales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdul-Kareem Ahmed
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Jiachen Zhuo
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Rao P Gullapalli
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Michael L Keaser
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
- Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Joel D Greenspan
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
- Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Chixiang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Timothy R Miller
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Elias R Melhem
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Charles A Sansur
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Howard M Eisenberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Dheeraj Gandhi
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zheng W, Zhang Q, Zhao Z, Zhang P, Zhao L, Wang X, Yang S, Zhang J, Yao Z, Hu B. Aberrant dynamic functional connectivity of thalamocortical circuitry in major depressive disorder. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2024:1-21. [PMID: 38423537 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2300401] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Thalamocortical circuitry has a substantial impact on emotion and cognition. Previous studies have demonstrated alterations in thalamocortical functional connectivity (FC), characterized by region-dependent hypo- or hyper-connectivity, among individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the dynamical reconfiguration of the thalamocortical system over time and potential abnormalities in dynamic thalamocortical connectivity associated with MDD remain unclear. Hence, we analyzed dynamic FC (dFC) between ten thalamic subregions and seven cortical subnetworks from resting-state functional magnetic resonance images of 48 patients with MDD and 57 healthy controls (HCs) to investigate time-varying changes in thalamocortical FC in patients with MDD. Moreover, dynamic laterality analysis was conducted to examine the changes in functional lateralization of the thalamocortical system over time. Correlations between the dynamic measures of thalamocortical FC and clinical assessment were also calculated. We identified four dynamic states of thalamocortical circuitry wherein patients with MDD exhibited decreased fractional time and reduced transitions within a negative connectivity state that showed strong correlations with primary cortical networks, compared with the HCs. In addition, MDD patients also exhibited increased fluctuations in functional laterality in the thalamocortical system across the scan duration. The thalamo-subnetwork analysis unveiled abnormal dFC variability involving higher-order cortical networks in the MDD cohort. Significant correlations were found between increased dFC variability with dorsal attention and default mode networks and the severity of symptoms. Our study comprehensively investigated the pattern of alteration of the thalamocortical dFC in MDD patients. The heterogeneous alterations of dFC between the thalamus and both primary and higher-order cortical networks may help characterize the deficits of sensory and cognitive processing in MDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weihao Zheng
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ziyang Zhao
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China
- Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging, Lanzhou 730030, China
| | - Leilei Zhao
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Songyu Yang
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China. ,
- Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China. ,
- Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging, Lanzhou 730030, China. ,
| | - Zhijun Yao
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China. ,
| | - Bin Hu
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
- School of Medical Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
- Joint Research Center for Cognitive Neurosensor Technology of Lanzhou University & Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Heukamp NJ, Banaschewski T, Bokde AL, Desrivières S, Grigis A, Garavan H, Gowland P, Heinz A, Kandić M, Brühl R, Martinot JL, Paillère Martinot ML, Artiges E, Papadopoulos Orfanos D, Lemaitre H, Löffler M, Poustka L, Hohmann S, Millenet S, Fröhner JH, Smolka MN, Usai K, Vaidya N, Walter H, Whelan R, Schumann G, Flor H, Nees F. Adolescents' pain-related ontogeny shares a neural basis with adults' chronic pain in basothalamo-cortical organization. iScience 2024; 27:108954. [PMID: 38322983 PMCID: PMC10845062 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
During late adolescence, the brain undergoes ontogenic organization altering subcortical-cortical circuitry. This includes regions implicated in pain chronicity, and thus alterations in the adolescent ontogenic organization could predispose to pain chronicity in adulthood - however, evidence is lacking. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging from a large European longitudinal adolescent cohort and an adult cohort with and without chronic pain, we examined links between painful symptoms and brain connectivity. During late adolescence, thalamo-, caudate-, and red nucleus-cortical connectivity were positively and subthalamo-cortical connectivity negatively associated with painful symptoms. Thalamo-cortical connectivity, but also subthalamo-cortical connectivity, was increased in adults with chronic pain compared to healthy controls. Our results indicate a shared basis in basothalamo-cortical circuitries between adolescent painful symptomatology and adult pain chronicity, with the subthalamic pathway being differentially involved, potentially due to a hyperconnected thalamo-cortical pathway in chronic pain and ontogeny-driven organization. This can inform neuromodulation-based prevention and early intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nils Jannik Heukamp
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Arun L.W. Bokde
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sylvane Desrivières
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, SGDP Centre, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Antoine Grigis
- NeuroSpin, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Hugh Garavan
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA
| | - Penny Gowland
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy CCM, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mina Kandić
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Brühl
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-Luc Martinot
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U A10 "Trajectoires développementales en psychiatrie", Université Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Centre Borelli, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Marie-Laure Paillère Martinot
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U A10 "Trajectoires développementales en psychiatrie", Université Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Centre Borelli, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Eric Artiges
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U A10 "Trajectoires développementales en psychiatrie", Université Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Centre Borelli, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Psychiatry Department, EPS Barthélémy Durand, Etampes, France
| | | | - Herve Lemaitre
- NeuroSpin, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, CNRS, CEA, Université de Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Martin Löffler
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, Mannheim, Germany
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Integrative Spinal Research Group, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luise Poustka
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Göttingen, von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarah Hohmann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sabina Millenet
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Juliane H. Fröhner
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael N. Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katrin Usai
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nilakshi Vaidya
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy CCM, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Whelan
- School of Psychology and Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Berlin, Ireland
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, 68131 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, Mannheim, Germany
| | - IMAGEN Consortium
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, SGDP Centre, King’s College London, London, UK
- NeuroSpin, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy CCM, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, Mannheim, Germany
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig, Berlin, Germany
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM U A10 "Trajectoires développementales en psychiatrie", Université Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale supérieure Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Centre Borelli, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
- Psychiatry Department, EPS Barthélémy Durand, Etampes, France
- Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, CNRS, CEA, Université de Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Integrative Spinal Research Group, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Göttingen, von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- School of Psychology and Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Berlin, Ireland
- Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, 68131 Mannheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Rao Y, Ge L, Wu J. A systematic review and coordinate-based meta-analysis of fMRI studies on acupuncture at LR 3. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1341567. [PMID: 38348133 PMCID: PMC10859399 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1341567] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives The acupoint LR3 (Taichong) is frequently utilized in clinical acupuncture. However, its underlying neural mechanisms remain not fully elucidated, with speculations suggesting its close association with specific brain activity patterns. Methods A comprehensive literature search was undertaken across several online databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and the Chinese Biomedical Database. Two independent researchers handled the study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction processes. Using the seed-based d-mapping meta-analysis approach, we evaluated the brain regions activated by LR3 acupuncture in healthy subjects. Subsequent subgroup analysis was stratified by fMRI types, and regression analyses were performed considering the duration of acupuncture, depth of needle insertion, and needle diameter. The identified active brain regions were then intricately projected onto large-scale functional networks. Results A total of 10 studies met the criteria for inclusion, encompassing 319 healthy right-handed participants. The meta-analysis indicates that acupuncture at the LR3 activates regions such as the right postcentral gyrus, left thalamus, left middle frontal gyrus, and right superior frontal gyrus. Additionally, meta-regression analysis highlights that increased acupuncture duration correlates with progressively intensified activation of the right superior frontal gyrus. Subgroup analysis posits that variations in the type of fMRI employed might account for heterogeneity in the pooled results. Concurrently, functional network analysis identifies the primary activated regions as aligning with the Basal ganglia network, Auditory network, Left executive control network, Posterior salience network, Right executive control network, and Sensorimotor networks. Conclusion Acupuncture at the LR3 in healthy subjects selectively activates brain regions linked to pain perception, emotional processing, and linguistic functions. Extending the needle retention duration intensifies the activation of the right superior frontal gyrus. These findings enrich our comprehension of the neurobiological underpinnings of acupuncture's role in pain mitigation and emotional regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Rao
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Auer U, Kelemen Z, Vogl C, von Ritgen S, Haddad R, Torres Borda L, Gabmaier C, Breteler J, Jenner F. Development, refinement, and validation of an equine musculoskeletal pain scale. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2024; 4:1292299. [PMID: 38312997 PMCID: PMC10837853 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1292299] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Musculoskeletal disease is a common cause of chronic pain that is often overlooked and inadequately treated, impacting the quality of life of humans and horses alike. Lameness due to musculoskeletal pain is prevalent in horses, but the perception of pain by owners is low compared with veterinary diagnosis. Therefore, this study aims to establish and validate a pain scale for chronic equine orthopaedic pain that is user-friendly for horse owners and veterinarians to facilitate the identification and monitoring of pain in horses. The newly developed musculoskeletal pain scale (MPS) was applied to 154 horses (mean age 20 ± 6.4 years SD) housed at an equine sanctuary, of which 128 (83%) suffered from chronic orthopaedic disease. To complete the MPS, the horses were observed and videotaped from a distance while at rest in their box or enclosure. In addition, they received a complete clinical and orthopaedic exam. The need for veterinary intervention to address pain (assessed and executed by the sanctuary independent from this study) was used as a longitudinal health outcome to determine the MPS's predictive validity. To determine the interrater agreement, the MPS was scored for a randomly selected subset of 30 horses by six additional blinded raters, three equine veterinary practitioners, and three experienced equestrians. An iterative process was used to refine the tool based on improvements in the MPS's correlation with lameness evaluated at the walk and trot, predictive validity for longitudinal health outcomes, and interrater agreement. The intraclass correlation improved from 0.77 of the original MPS to 0.88 of the refined version (95% confidence interval: 0.8-0.94). The refined MPS correlated significantly with lameness at the walk (r = 0.44, p = 0.001) and trot (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001). The refined MPS significantly differed between horses that needed veterinary intervention (mean MPS = 8.6) and those that did not (mean MPS = 5.0, p = 0.0007). In summary, the MPS showed good interrater repeatability between expert and lay scorers, significant correlation with lameness at the walk and trot, and good predictive validity for longitudinal health outcomes, confirming its ability to identify horses with orthopaedic health problems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Auer
- Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Intensive Care Medicine Unit, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zsofia Kelemen
- Equine Surgery Unit, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Hospital, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claus Vogl
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephanie von Ritgen
- Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Intensive Care Medicine Unit, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rabea Haddad
- Equine Surgery Unit, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Hospital, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Torres Borda
- Equine Surgery Unit, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Hospital, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher Gabmaier
- Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Intensive Care Medicine Unit, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - John Breteler
- Equine Surgery Unit, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Hospital, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florien Jenner
- Equine Surgery Unit, Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Hospital, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Moreira A, Santos Hernández DA, Caceros V, Barahona KC, Campos F, Reyes WA, Blanco A, Soto T, Ramirez J, Mejias R, Cruz C, Lovo EE. Dual-Target Radiosurgery for Concomitant Continuous Pain Presentation of Trigeminal Neuralgia: Radiomodulation Effect and Dose. Cureus 2024; 16:e51602. [PMID: 38313895 PMCID: PMC10836852 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51602] [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] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) experience concomitant continuous pain (CCP) that can be difficult to treat. A dual-target approach delivering a high dose of radiation to the nerve and the contralateral thalamus can develop a fast radiomodulation effect on lowering pain. We sought to determine if this effect was dose dependent. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients treated with radiosurgery in CCP and severe TN pain, with a visual analog scale (VAS) score of nine out of 10 at the time of treatment. Ten patients were treated with a high dose (>120 Gy) in the thalamus 90 Gy to the nerve, and the rest with a low dose (<120 Gy) to the thalamus and >90 Gy to the nerve. RESULTS Of those who received the high dose to the thalamus, six patients (60%) received 140 Gy, and four (40%) received 120 Gy, with a median dose to the trigeminal nerve of 90 and 85 Gy, respectively. The high thalamus dose showed a radiomodulation effect from day 1. The low thalamus dose did not produce radiomodulation on any of the first four days. The percentage of VAS score reduction one month after treatment was higher in the high-thalamus dose group than in the low-thalamus dose group. At three months, VAS score was 2 in the high-dose group and 4 in the low-dose group. CONCLUSIONS The radiomodulation effect in pain and dual-target radiosurgery is dose dependent in CCP in TN; a high dose can provide a more consistent clinical result than a lower dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Victor Caceros
- Radiation Oncology, International Cancer Center, San Salvador, SLV
| | - Kaory C Barahona
- Radiation Oncology, International Cancer Center, Diagnostic Hospital, San Salvador, SLV
| | - Fidel Campos
- Radiosurgery, International Cancer Center, Diagnostic Hospital, San Salvador, SLV
| | - William A Reyes
- Radiosurgery, International Cancer Center, Diagnostic Hospital, San Salvador, SLV
| | | | - Tatiana Soto
- Radiation, Robotic Radiosurgery Center, San Jose, CRI
| | - Juliana Ramirez
- Radiosurgery, Centro de Radiocirugia Robotica, San Jose, CRI
| | - Ricardo Mejias
- Medical Physics, Robotic Radiosurgery Center, San Jose, CRI
| | - Claudia Cruz
- Anesthesia and Pain Management, Hospital De Diagnóstico, San Salvador, SLV
| | - Eduardo E Lovo
- Radiosurgery, International Cancer Center, Diagnostic Hospital, San Salvador, SLV
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yang J, Jiang X, Gu L, Li J, Wu Y, Li L, Xiong J, Lv H, Kuang H, Jiang J. Decreased Functional Connectivity of the Core Pain Matrix in Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia Patients. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1357. [PMID: 37891726 PMCID: PMC10605464 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101357] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the resting-state functional connectivity (FC) changes among the pain matrix and other brain regions in herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients. Fifty-four PHN patients, 52 HZ patients, and 54 healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans. We used a seed-based FC approach to investigate whether HZ and PHN patients exhibited abnormal FC between the pain matrix and other brain regions compared to HCs. A random forest (RF) model was constructed to explore the feasibility of potential neuroimaging indicators to distinguish the two groups of patients. We found that PHN patients exhibited decreased FCs between the pain matrix and the putamen, superior temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, middle cingulate gyrus, amygdala, precuneus, and supplementary motor area compared with HCs. Similar results were observed in HZ patients. The disease durations of PHN patients were negatively correlated with those aforementioned impaired FCs. The results of machine learning experiments showed that the RF model combined with FC features achieved a classification accuracy of 75%. Disrupted FC among the pain matrix and other regions in HZ and PHN patients may affect multiple dimensions of pain processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaojiao Yang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China; (J.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.W.); (L.L.); (J.X.); (H.L.); (H.K.)
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Xiaofeng Jiang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China; (J.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.W.); (L.L.); (J.X.); (H.L.); (H.K.)
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Lili Gu
- Department of Pain, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China;
| | - Jiahao Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an 710061, China;
| | - Ying Wu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China; (J.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.W.); (L.L.); (J.X.); (H.L.); (H.K.)
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Linghao Li
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China; (J.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.W.); (L.L.); (J.X.); (H.L.); (H.K.)
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Jiaxin Xiong
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China; (J.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.W.); (L.L.); (J.X.); (H.L.); (H.K.)
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Huiting Lv
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China; (J.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.W.); (L.L.); (J.X.); (H.L.); (H.K.)
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Hongmei Kuang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China; (J.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.W.); (L.L.); (J.X.); (H.L.); (H.K.)
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Jian Jiang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China; (J.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.W.); (L.L.); (J.X.); (H.L.); (H.K.)
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Jiangxi Province Medical Imaging Research Institute, 17 Yongwaizheng Street, Nanchang 330006, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu X, Wei T, Shi L, Zhou S, Liu Y, Song W, Que X, Wang Z, Tang Y. Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett's esophagus, and epilepsy: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3117. [PMID: 37287440 PMCID: PMC10498072 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been shown to be elevated in individuals with epilepsy. Traditional observational studies have led to a limited understanding of the effects of GERD and BE on epilepsy due to the interference of reverse causation and potential confounders. METHODS We conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to determine whether GERD and BE can increase the risk of epilepsy. Genome-wide association study data on epilepsy and its subgroups were obtained from the International League Against Epilepsy consortium for primary analysis using three MR approaches and the FinnGen consortium for replication and meta-analysis. We calculated causal estimates between the two esophageal diseases and epilepsy using the inverse-variance weighted method. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to detect heterogeneity and pleiotropy. RESULTS We found a potential effect of genetically predicted GERD on the risk of epilepsy (odds ratio [OR] = 1.078; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.014-1.146, p = .016). Specifically, GERD showed an effect on the risk of generalized epilepsy (OR = 1.163; 95% CI, 1.048-1.290, p = .004) but not focal epilepsy (OR = 1.059, 95% CI, 0.992-1.131, p = .084). Notably, BE did not show a significant causal relationship with the risks of generalized and focal epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS Under MR assumptions, our findings suggest a potential risk-increasing effect of GERD on epilepsy, especially generalized epilepsy. Considering the exploratory nature of our study, the association between GERD and epilepsy needs to be confirmed by future prospective studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoduo Liu
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological DisordersXuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological DisordersBeijingChina
| | - Tao Wei
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological DisordersXuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological DisordersBeijingChina
| | - Lubo Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University National Clinical Research Center for Digestive DiseasesBeijing Digestive Disease CenterBeijingChina
| | - Shaojiong Zhou
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological DisordersXuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological DisordersBeijingChina
| | - Yufei Liu
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological DisordersXuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological DisordersBeijingChina
| | - Weiyi Song
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological DisordersXuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological DisordersBeijingChina
| | - Xinwei Que
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological DisordersXuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological DisordersBeijingChina
| | - Zhibin Wang
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological DisordersXuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological DisordersBeijingChina
| | - Yi Tang
- Department of Neurology & Innovation Center for Neurological DisordersXuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Neurological DisordersBeijingChina
- Neurodegenerative Laboratory of Ministry of Education of the Peoples Republic of ChinaBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mao CP, Wu Y, Yang HJ, Qin J, Song QC, Zhang B, Zhou XQ, Zhang L, Sun HH. Altered habenular connectivity in chronic low back pain: An fMRI and machine learning study. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:4407-4421. [PMID: 37306031 PMCID: PMC10318213 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The habenula has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pain and analgesia, while evidence concerning its function in chronic low back pain (cLBP) is sparse. This study aims to investigate the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) and effective connectivity of the habenula in 52 patients with cLBP and 52 healthy controls (HCs) and assess the feasibility of distinguishing cLBP from HCs based on connectivity by machine learning methods. Our results indicated significantly enhanced rsFC of the habenula-left superior frontal cortex (SFC), habenula-right thalamus, and habenula-bilateral insular pathways as well as decreased rsFC of the habenula-pons pathway in cLBP patients compared to HCs. Dynamic causal modelling revealed significantly enhanced effective connectivity from the right thalamus to right habenula in cLBP patients compared with HCs. RsFC of the habenula-SFC was positively correlated with pain intensities and Hamilton Depression scores in the cLBP group. RsFC of the habenula-right insula was negatively correlated with pain duration in the cLBP group. Additionally, the combination of the rsFC of the habenula-SFC, habenula-thalamus, and habenula-pons pathways could reliably distinguish cLBP patients from HCs with an accuracy of 75.9% by support vector machine, which was validated in an independent cohort (N = 68, accuracy = 68.8%, p = .001). Linear regression and random forest could also distinguish cLBP and HCs in the independent cohort (accuracy = 73.9 and 55.9%, respectively). Overall, these findings provide evidence that cLBP may be associated with abnormal rsFC and effective connectivity of the habenula, and highlight the promise of machine learning in chronic pain discrimination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cui Ping Mao
- Department of Medical ImagingSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Yue Wu
- School of Computer Science and EngineeringXidian UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Hua Juan Yang
- Department of Medical ImagingSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Jie Qin
- Department of Medical ImagingSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Qi Chun Song
- Department of Medical ImagingSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Medical ImagingSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Xiao Qian Zhou
- Department of Medical ImagingSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Liang Zhang
- School of Computer Science and EngineeringXidian UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| | - Hong Hong Sun
- Department of Medical ImagingSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityXi'anShaanxiChina
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kong Q, Sacca V, Walker K, Hodges S, Kong J. Thalamocortical Mechanisms Underlying Real and Imagined Acupuncture. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1830. [PMID: 37509469 PMCID: PMC10377130 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071830] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Both acupuncture and imagery have shown potential for chronic pain management. However, the mechanisms underlying their analgesic effects remain unclear. This study aims to explore the thalamocortical mechanisms underlying acupuncture and video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT), a combination of acupuncture and guided imagery, using the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of three thalamic subdivisions-the ventral posterolateral thalamus (VPL), mediodorsal thalamus (MD), and motor thalamus subregion (Mthal)-associated with somatosensory, limbic, and motor circuity. Twenty-seven healthy individuals participated in a within-subject randomized crossover design study. Results showed that compared to sham acupuncture, real acupuncture altered the rsFC between the thalamus and default mode network (DMN) (i.e., mPFC, PCC, and precuneus), as well as the prefrontal and somatosensory cortex (SI/SII). Compared to the VGAIT control, VGAIT demonstrated greater rsFC between the thalamus and key nodes within the interoceptive network (i.e., anterior insula, ACC, PFC, and SI/SII), as well as the motor and sensory cortices (i.e., M1, SMA, and temporal/occipital cortices). Furthermore, compared to real acupuncture, VGAIT demonstrated increased rsFC between the thalamus (VPL/MD/Mthal) and task-positive network (TPN). Further correlations between differences in rsFC and changes in the heat or pressure pain threshold were also observed. These findings suggest that both acupuncture- and VGAIT-induced analgesia are associated with thalamocortical networks. Elucidating the underlying mechanism of VGAIT and acupuncture may facilitate their development, particularly VGAIT, which may be used as a potential remote-delivered pain management approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ziegler K, Folkard R, Gonzalez AJ, Burghardt J, Antharvedi-Goda S, Martin-Cortecero J, Isaías-Camacho E, Kaushalya S, Tan LL, Kuner T, Acuna C, Kuner R, Mease RA, Groh A. Primary somatosensory cortex bidirectionally modulates sensory gain and nociceptive behavior in a layer-specific manner. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2999. [PMID: 37225702 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38798-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The primary somatosensory cortex (S1) is a hub for body sensation of both innocuous and noxious signals, yet its role in somatosensation versus pain is debated. Despite known contributions of S1 to sensory gain modulation, its causal involvement in subjective sensory experiences remains elusive. Here, in mouse S1, we reveal the involvement of cortical output neurons in layers 5 (L5) and 6 (L6) in the perception of innocuous and noxious somatosensory signals. We find that L6 activation can drive aversive hypersensitivity and spontaneous nocifensive behavior. Linking behavior to neuronal mechanisms, we find that L6 enhances thalamic somatosensory responses, and in parallel, strongly suppresses L5 neurons. Directly suppressing L5 reproduced the pronociceptive phenotype induced by L6 activation, suggesting an anti-nociceptive function for L5 output. Indeed, L5 activation reduced sensory sensitivity and reversed inflammatory allodynia. Together, these findings reveal a layer-specific and bidirectional role for S1 in modulating subjective sensory experiences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Ziegler
- Medical Biophysics, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ross Folkard
- Medical Biophysics, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antonio J Gonzalez
- Medical Biophysics, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jan Burghardt
- Medical Biophysics, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sailaja Antharvedi-Goda
- Medical Biophysics, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jesus Martin-Cortecero
- Medical Biophysics, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Emilio Isaías-Camacho
- Medical Biophysics, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sanjeev Kaushalya
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute for Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Linette Liqi Tan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute for Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kuner
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudio Acuna
- Chica and Heinz Schaller Research Group, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rohini Kuner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute for Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rebecca Audrey Mease
- Medical Biophysics, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Alexander Groh
- Medical Biophysics, Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Yan Y, Zhu M, Cao X, Xu G, Shen W, Li F, Zhang J, Luo L, Zhang X, Zhang D, Liu T. Thalamocortical Circuit Controls Neuropathic Pain via Up-regulation of HCN2 in the Ventral Posterolateral Thalamus. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:774-792. [PMID: 36538279 PMCID: PMC10169982 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00989-5] [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: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The thalamocortical (TC) circuit is closely associated with pain processing. The hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) 2 channel is predominantly expressed in the ventral posterolateral thalamus (VPL) that has been shown to mediate neuropathic pain. However, the role of VPL HCN2 in modulating TC circuit activity is largely unknown. Here, by using optogenetics, neuronal tracing, electrophysiological recordings, and virus knockdown strategies, we showed that the activation of VPL TC neurons potentiates excitatory synaptic transmission to the hindlimb region of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1HL) as well as mechanical hypersensitivity following spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced neuropathic pain in mice. Either pharmacological blockade or virus knockdown of HCN2 (shRNA-Hcn2) in the VPL was sufficient to alleviate SNI-induced hyperalgesia. Moreover, shRNA-Hcn2 decreased the excitability of TC neurons and synaptic transmission of the VPL-S1HL circuit. Together, our studies provide a novel mechanism by which HCN2 enhances the excitability of the TC circuit to facilitate neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yan
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Institute of Pain Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical and Medical Sciences, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropathic Pain, Healthcare Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Mengye Zhu
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Institute of Pain Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical and Medical Sciences, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropathic Pain, Healthcare Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Xuezhong Cao
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Institute of Pain Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical and Medical Sciences, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropathic Pain, Healthcare Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Institute of Pain Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical and Medical Sciences, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropathic Pain, Healthcare Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Wei Shen
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Institute of Pain Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical and Medical Sciences, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropathic Pain, Healthcare Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Institute of Pain Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical and Medical Sciences, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropathic Pain, Healthcare Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Jinjin Zhang
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Institute of Pain Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical and Medical Sciences, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropathic Pain, Healthcare Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Lingyun Luo
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Institute of Pain Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical and Medical Sciences, Nanchang, 330006, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropathic Pain, Healthcare Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Xuexue Zhang
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
- Institute of Pain Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical and Medical Sciences, Nanchang, 330006, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neuropathic Pain, Healthcare Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Daying Zhang
- Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
- Institute of Pain Medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical and Medical Sciences, Nanchang, 330006, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neuropathic Pain, Healthcare Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Tao Liu
- Center for Experimental Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Robayo LE, Govind V, Salan T, Cherup NP, Sheriff S, Maudsley AA, Widerström-Noga E. Neurometabolite alterations in traumatic brain injury and associations with chronic pain. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1125128. [PMID: 36908781 PMCID: PMC9997848 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1125128] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to a variety of comorbidities, including chronic pain. Although brain tissue metabolite alterations have been extensively examined in several chronic pain populations, it has received less attention in people with TBI. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to compare brain tissue metabolite levels in people with TBI and chronic pain (n = 16), TBI without chronic pain (n = 17), and pain-free healthy controls (n = 31). The metabolite data were obtained from participants using whole-brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (1H-MRSI) at 3 Tesla. The metabolite data included N-acetylaspartate, myo-inositol, total choline, glutamate plus glutamine, and total creatine. Associations between N-acetylaspartate levels and pain severity, neuropathic pain symptom severity, and psychological variables, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and post-concussive symptoms, were also explored. Our results demonstrate N-acetylaspartate, myo-inositol, total choline, and total creatine alterations in pain-related brain regions such as the frontal region, cingulum, postcentral gyrus, and thalamus in individuals with TBI with and without chronic pain. Additionally, NAA levels in the left and right frontal lobe regions were positively correlated with post-concussive symptoms; and NAA levels within the left frontal region were also positively correlated with neuropathic pain symptom severity, depression, and PTSD symptoms in the TBI with chronic pain group. These results suggest that neuronal integrity or density in the prefrontal cortex, a critical region for nociception and pain modulation, is associated with the severity of neuropathic pain symptoms and psychological comorbidities following TBI. Our data suggest that a combination of neuronal loss or dysfunction and maladaptive neuroplasticity may contribute to the development of persistent pain following TBI, although no causal relationship can be determined based on these data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda E. Robayo
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Varan Govind
- Department of Radiology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Teddy Salan
- Department of Radiology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Nicholas P. Cherup
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Sulaiman Sheriff
- Department of Radiology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | | | - Eva Widerström-Noga
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Gandhi R, Selvarajah D, Sloan G, Greig M, Wilkinson ID, Shaw PJ, Griffiths P, Tesfaye S. Preservation of thalamic neuronal function may be a prerequisite for pain perception in diabetic neuropathy: A magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 3:1086887. [PMID: 36688084 PMCID: PMC9852821 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2022.1086887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Introduction In this study, we used proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to determine the neuronal function in the thalamus and primary somatosensory (S1) cortex in different subgroups of DPN, including subclinical- and painful-DPN. Method One-hundred and ten people with type 1 diabetes [20 without DPN (no-DPN); 30 with subclinical-DPN; 30 with painful-DPN; and 30 with painless-DPN] and 20 healthy volunteers, all of whom were right-handed men, were recruited and underwent detailed clinical and neurophysiological assessments. Participants underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 1.5 Tesla with two 1H-MRS spectra obtained from 8 ml cubic volume voxels: one placed within left thalamus to encompass the ventro-posterior lateral sub-nucleus and another within the S1 cortex. Results In the thalamus, participants with painless-DPN had a significantly lower NAA:Cr ratio [1.55 + 0.22 (mean ± SD)] compared to all other groups [HV (1.80 ± 0.23), no-DPN (1.85 ± 0.20), sub-clinical DPN (1.79 ± 0.23), painful-DPN (1.75 ± 0.19), ANOVA p < 0.001]. There were no significant group differences in S1 cortical neurometabolites. Conclusion In this largest cerebral MRS study in DPN, thalamic neuronal dysfunction was found in advanced painless-DPN with preservation of function in subclinical- and painful-DPN. Furthermore, there was a preservation of neuronal function within the S1 cortex in all subgroups of DPN. Therefore, there may be a proximo-distal gradient to central nervous system alterations in painless-DPN, with thalamic neuronal dysfunction occurring only in established DPN. Moreover, these results further highlight the manifestation of cerebral alterations between painful- and painless-DPN whereby preservation of thalamic function may be a prerequisite for neuropathic pain in DPN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Gandhi
- Diabetes Research Unit, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Dinesh Selvarajah
- Department of Oncology and Human Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon Sloan
- Diabetes Research Unit, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom,Department of Oncology and Human Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Marni Greig
- Diabetes Research Unit, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Iain D. Wilkinson
- Academic Unit of Radiology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Griffiths
- Academic Unit of Radiology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Solomon Tesfaye
- Diabetes Research Unit, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom,Correspondence: Solomon Tesfaye
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Robertson JW, Aristi G, Hashmi JA. White matter microstructure predicts measures of clinical symptoms in chronic back pain patients. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 37:103309. [PMID: 36621020 PMCID: PMC9850203 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Chronic back pain (CBP) has extensive clinical and social implications for its sufferers and is a major source of disability. Chronic pain has previously been shown to have central neural factors underpinning it, including the loss of white matter (WM), however traditional methods of analyzing WM microstructure have produced mixed and unclear results. To better understand these factors, we assessed the WM microstructure of 50 patients and 40 healthy controls (HC) using diffusion-weighted imaging. The data were analyzed using fixel-based analysis (FBA), a higher-order diffusion modelling technique applied to CBP for the first time here. Subjects also answered questionnaires relating to pain, disability, catastrophizing, and mood disorders, to establish the relationship between fixelwise metrics and clinical symptoms. FBA determined that, compared to HC, CBP patients had: 1) lower fibre density (FD) in several tracts, specifically the right anterior and bilateral superior thalamic radiations, right spinothalamic tract, right middle cerebellar peduncle, and the body and splenium of corpus callosum; 2) higher FD in the genu of corpus callosum; and 3) lower FDC - a combined fibre density and cross-section measure - in the bilateral spinothalamic tracts and right anterior thalamic radiation. Exploratory correlations showed strong negative relationships between fixelwise metrics and clinical questionnaire scores, especially pain catastrophizing. These results have important implications for the intake and processing of sensory data in CBP that warrant further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason W Robertson
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, 1276 South Park St., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada; Nova Scotia Health Authority, 1276 South Park St., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada.
| | - Guillermo Aristi
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, 1276 South Park St., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada; Nova Scotia Health Authority, 1276 South Park St., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada
| | - Javeria A Hashmi
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, 1276 South Park St., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada; Nova Scotia Health Authority, 1276 South Park St., Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Cha M, Eum YJ, Kim K, Kim L, Bak H, Sohn JH, Cheong C, Lee BH. Diffusion tensor imaging reveals sex differences in pain sensitivity of rats. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1073963. [PMID: 36937048 PMCID: PMC10017469 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1073963] [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: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on differences in brain structure and function according to sex are reported to contribute to differences in behavior and cognition. However, few studies have investigated brain structures or used tractography to investigate gender differences in pain sensitivity. The identification of tracts involved in sex-based structural differences that show pain sensitivity has remained elusive to date. Here, we attempted to demonstrate the sex differences in pain sensitivity and to clarify its relationship with brain structural connectivity. In this study, pain behavior test and brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed in male and female rats and tractography was performed on the whole brain using fiber tracking software. We selected eight brain regions related to pain and performed a tractography analysis of these regions. Fractional anisotropy (FA) measurements using automated tractography revealed sex differences in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)-, prefrontal cortex (PFC)-, and ventral posterior thalamus-related brain connections. In addition, the results of the correlation analysis of pain sensitivity and DTI tractography showed differences in mean, axial, and radial diffusivities, as well as FA. This study revealed the potential of DTI for exploring circuits involved in pain sensitivity. The behavioral and functional relevance's of measures derived from DTI tractography is demonstrated by their relationship with pain sensitivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Myeounghoon Cha
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ji Eum
- Bio-Chemical Analysis Team, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeongmin Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Leejeong Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeji Bak
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Hun Sohn
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaejoon Cheong
- Bio-Chemical Analysis Team, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- *Correspondence: Chaejoon Cheong,
| | - Bae Hwan Lee
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Bae Hwan Lee,
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhou Q, Li M, Fan Q, Chen F, Jiang G, Wang T, He Q, Fu S, Yin Y, Lin J, Yan J. Cerebral perfusion alterations in patients with trigeminal neuralgia as measured by pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1065411. [PMID: 36601595 PMCID: PMC9807247 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1065411] [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: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulating evidence suggests that trigeminal neuralgia (TN) causes structural and functional alterations in the brain. However, only a few studies have focused on cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes in patients with TN. This study aimed to explore whether altered cerebral perfusion patterns exist in patients with TN and investigate the relationship between abnormal regional CBF (rCBF) and clinical characteristics of TN. Materials and methods This study included 28 patients with TN and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) who underwent perfusion functional MRI (fMRI) of the brain using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) in the resting state. The regions of significantly altered CBF in patients with TN were detected using group comparison analyses. Then, the relationships between the clinical characteristics and abnormal rCBF were further investigated. Results Compared to the control group, patients with TN exhibited increased rCBF, primarily in the thalamus, middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and left insula. Furthermore, the CBF values of the thalamus were negatively correlated with the pain intensity of TN and positively correlated with pain duration in patients with TN. Conclusion Primary alterations in rCBF in patients with TN occurred in different brain regions related to pain, which are involved in cognitive-affective interaction, pain perception, and pain modulation. These results indicate that non-invasive resting cerebral perfusion imaging may contribute complementary information to further understanding the neuropathological mechanism underlying TN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianling Zhou
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qisen Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guihua Jiang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianyue Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qinmeng He
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shishun Fu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Yin
- Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinzhi Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhao Yan
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China,Department of Medical Imaging, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Jianhao Yan,
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Online Questionnaire with Fibromyalgia Patients Reveals Correlations among Type of Pain, Psychological Alterations, and Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological Therapies. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10101975. [PMID: 36292422 PMCID: PMC9602604 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10101975] [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: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome with an unclear etiology. In addition to pain, FM patients suffer from a diverse array of symptoms and comorbidities, encompassing fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, mood disorders, sleep deprivation, and dizziness. Due to the complexity of FM, the diagnosis and treatment of it are highly challenging. The aim of the present work was to investigate some clinical and psychological characteristics of FM patients, and to uncover possible correlations with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. We conducted a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study aimed at evaluating pain, psychological traits, and the self-perceived effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments in an Italian population of FM patients. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and inference analyses were performed. We found a prevalence of a neuropathic/nociplastic type of pain, which correlated with psychological traits such as anxiety, low mood, psychophysical discomfort, and the inability to relax. The pain type and psychological traits proved to play a role in determining the self-perceived effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Patients revealed a better response to non-pharmacological therapies, particularly dietary interventions, relaxation techniques, and psychotherapy rather than pharmacological interventions. The sum of our data indicates that for better outcomes, the type of pain and psychological traits should be considered for tailor-made treatments considering non-pharmacological protocols as a complement to the use of drugs.
Collapse
|
26
|
Thalamocortical bistable switch as a theoretical model of fibromyalgia pathogenesis inferred from a literature survey. J Comput Neurosci 2022; 50:471-484. [PMID: 35816263 PMCID: PMC9666334 DOI: 10.1007/s10827-022-00826-8] [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: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fibromyalgia (FM) is an unsolved central pain processing disturbance. We aim to provide a unifying model for FM pathogenesis based on a loop network involving thalamocortical regions, i.e., the ventroposterior lateral thalamus (VPL), the somatosensory cortex (SC), and the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). The dynamics of the loop have been described by three differential equations having neuron mean firing rates as variables and containing Hill functions to model mutual interactions among the loop elements. A computational analysis conducted with MATLAB has shown a transition from monostability to bistability of the loop behavior for a weakening of GABAergic transmission between TRN and VPL. This involves the appearance of a high-firing-rate steady state, which becomes dominant and is assumed to represent pathogenic pain processing giving rise to chronic pain. Our model is consistent with a bulk of literature evidence, such as neuroimaging and pharmacological data collected on FM patients, and with correlations between FM and immunoendocrine conditions, such as stress, perimenopause, chronic inflammation, obesity, and chronic dizziness. The model suggests that critical targets for FM treatment are to be found among immunoendocrine pathways leading to GABA/glutamate imbalance having an impact on the thalamocortical system.
Collapse
|
27
|
Behavioral and receptor expression studies on the primary somatosensory cortex and anterior cingulate cortex oxytocin involvement in modulation of sensory and affective dimensions of neuropathic pain induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation in rats. Physiol Behav 2022; 251:113818. [PMID: 35443199 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113818] [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: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain cortical areas are involved in processing of sensory, affective and cognitive aspects of pain. In the present study, microinjection effects of oxytocin and L-368,899 (an oxytocin receptor antagonist) into the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were investigated on sensory and affective aspects of neuropathic pain. METHODS Neuropathic pain was induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL). Seven days later, right and left sides of S1 and ACC were surgically implanted with guide cannulas. Sensory (day 14) and affective (day 17) dimensions were recorded using von Frey filaments and place escape avoidance paradigm, respectively. The S1 and ACC oxytocin receptor protein expression were also determined. RESULTS The S1 and ACC oxytocin suppressed PSNL-induced mechanical allodynia, whereas PSNL-induced aversion was attenuated by ACC oxytocin. In the S1, alone L-368,899 with no effect on aversion increased mechanical allodynia, whereas, in the ACC, this treatment increased both mechanical allodynia and aversion. Pre-treatment with L-368,899 prevented oxytocin-induced anti-allodynia and anti-aversion. Oxytocin and L-368,899 did not alter mechanical allodynia in intact and sham groups. All the above-mentioned treatments did not change crossing number. The density of oxytocin receptors in the S1 and ACC of PSNL group was increased 1.5-2 folds in comparison to intact and sham groups. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study explained that the ACC and S1 oxytocin ameliorated sensory component of neuropathic pain, whereas affective component was attenuated only by ACC oxytocin. These effects might be related to the PSNL-increased oxytocin receptor expression in the S1 and ACC.
Collapse
|
28
|
Ma Q. Somatotopic organization of autonomic reflexes by acupuncture. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 76:102602. [PMID: 35780689 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture has been practiced for more than 2000 years in China and now all over the world. One core idea behind this medical practice is that stimulation at specific body regions (acupoints) can distantly modulate organ physiology, but the underlying scientific basis has been long debated. Here, I summarize evidence supporting that long-distant acupuncture effects operate partly through somato-autonomic reflexes, leading to activation of sympathetic and/or parasympathetic pathways. I then discuss how the patterning of the somatosensory system along the rostro-caudal axis and the cutaneous-deep tissue axis might explain acupoint specificity and selectivity in driving specific autonomic pathways, particularly those modulating gastrointestinal motility and systemic inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiufu Ma
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Meng X, Yue L, Liu A, Tao W, Shi L, Zhao W, Wu Z, Zhang Z, Wang L, Zhang X, Zhou W. Distinct basolateral amygdala excitatory inputs mediate the somatosensory and aversive-affective components of pain. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102207. [PMID: 35772494 PMCID: PMC9304789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is a multidimensional perception that includes unpleasant somatosensory and affective experiences; however, the underlying neural circuits that mediate different components of pain remain elusive. Although hyperactivity of basolateral amygdala glutamatergic (BLAGlu) neurons is required for the somatosensory and emotional processing of pain, the precise excitatory inputs to BLAGlu neurons and their roles in mediating different aspects of pain are unclear. Here, we identified two discrete glutamatergic neuronal circuits in male mice: a projection from the insular cortex glutamatergic (ICGlu) to BLAGlu neurons, which modulates both the somatosensory and affective components of pain, and a projection from the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus (MDGlu) to BLAGlu neurons, which modulates only the aversive-affective component of pain. Using whole-cell recording and fiber photometry, we found that neurons within the IC→BLA and MD→BLA pathways were activated in mice upon inflammatory pain induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into their paws. Optical inhibition of the ICGlu→BLA pathway increased the nociceptive threshold and induced behavioral place preference in CFA mice. In contrast, optical inhibition of the MDGlu→BLA pathway did not affect the nociceptive threshold but still induced place preference in CFA mice. In normal mice, optical activation of the ICGlu→BLA pathway decreased the nociceptive threshold and induced place aversion, while optical activation of the MDGlu→BLA pathway only evoked aversion. Taken together, our results demonstrate that discrete ICGlu→BLA and MDGlu→BLA pathways are involved in modulating different components of pain, provide insights into its circuit basis, and better our understanding of pain perception.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Meng
- Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China
| | - Lingxiao Yue
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Pathology, Anhui Medical College, Hefei, China
| | - An Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wenjuan Tao
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Shi
- Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China
| | - Wan Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhongmin Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Liecheng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Xulai Zhang
- Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei Fourth People's Hospital, Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, China.
| | - Wenjie Zhou
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lovo EE, Moreira A, Cruz C, Carvajal G, Barahona KC, Caceros V, Blanco A, Mejias R, Alho E, Soto T. Radiomodulation in Mixed, Complex Cancer Pain by Triple Target Irradiation in the Brain: A Preliminary Experience. Cureus 2022; 14:e25430. [PMID: 35774662 PMCID: PMC9236678 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.25430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Up to 30% of terminally ill cancer patients experiencing intense pain might be refractory to opioid treatment. Complex cancer pain can be a mixture of somatic, visceral, and neuropathic pain with few or no effective alternatives to ameliorate pain. Radiosurgery to treat refractory pain in cancer has been reported with different degrees of success. Radiomodulation in pain could be defined as a fast (<72 h), substantial (>50%) pain relief by focal irradiation to a peripheric, and/or central mediated pain circuitry. Based on our previous experience, mixed, refractory cancer pain is usually unresponsive to single target irradiation of the hypophysis. We treated three patients using a multi-target approach. Methods Three terminally ill oncological patients experiencing refractory, complex, mixed pain from bone, abdomen, thorax, and brachial plexus were treated with triple target irradiation which consisted of irradiating with a maximum dose (Dmax) of 90 Gy to the hypophysis using either an 8 mm collimator with gamma ray (Infini) (Shenzhen, China: Masep Medical Company) or a 7.5 circular collimator with Cyberknife (Sunnyvale, CA: Accuray Inc.), the other two targets were the mesial structures of the thalamus bilaterally using a 4 mm collimator with Infini and the 5 mm circular collimator with CK delivering 90 Gy Dmax to each region. Patients had a VAS of 10 despite the best medical treatment. A correlation was made between the 45 Gy and 20 Gy isodose curves of the two different technologies to the Morel stereotactic atlas of the thalamus and basal ganglia for further understanding of dose distribution reconstructions in accordance with the São Paulo-Würzburg atlas of the Human Brain Project were performed. Lastly, a scoping review of the literature regarding radiosurgery for oncological pain was performed. Results Radiomodulation effect was achieved in all patients; case 1 had a VAS of five at 72 h, three at 15 days, and three at the time of death (21 days after treatment). Case 2 had a VAS of six at 72 h, five at 15 days, and four at the time of death (29 days after treatment). Case 3 had a VAS of five at 72 h, six at 15 days, and six at the time of death (30 days). Morphine rescues for cases 1 and 2 were reduced to 84%, and 70% for case 3. Overall, there were no adverse effects to treatment although excessive sleepiness was reported by one patient. After reading the title and abstract, only 14 studies remained eligible for full-text evaluation, and only nine studies met inclusion criteria after full-text reading. For most reports (seven), the target was the hypophysis and in two reports, the target was the thalamus either with single or bilateral irradiation. Conclusions In complex, for refractory oncological pain of mixed nature (nociceptive, neuropathic, and visceral), very few, if any, treatment alternatives are currently available. We provide a small proof of concept that multitarget intracranial radiosurgery might be effective in ameliorating pain in this population. The doses administered per target are the lowest that have shown effectiveness thus far, a different strategy might be needed as opposed to single target “large” dose approach that has been tried in the past for complex mixed refractory oncological pain. By no means, in our experience, these treatments traduce in elimination of pain, clinical results might make pain to be more bearable and respond better to pain medication.
Collapse
|
31
|
Mao CP, Wilson G, Cao J, Meshberg N, Huang Y, Kong J. Abnormal Anatomical and Functional Connectivity of the Thalamo-sensorimotor Circuit in Chronic Low Back Pain: Resting-state Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study. Neuroscience 2022; 487:143-154. [PMID: 35134490 PMCID: PMC8930700 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Thalamocortical dysfunction is thought to underlie the pathophysiology of chronic pain revealed by electroencephalographic studies. The thalamus serves as a primary relay center to transmit sensory information and motor impulses via dense connections with the somatosensory and motor cortex. In this study, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) (probabilistic tractography) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (functional connectivity) were used to characterize the anatomical and functional integrity of the thalamo-sensorimotor pathway in chronic low back pain (cLBP). Fifty-four patients with cLBP and 54 healthy controls were included. The results suggested significantly increased anatomical connectivity of the left thalamo-motor pathway characterized by probabilistic tractography in patients with cLBP. Moreover, there was significantly altered resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of bilateral thalamo-motor/somatosensory pathways in patients with cLBP as compared to healthy controls. We also detected a significant correlation between pain intensity during the MRI scan and rsFC of the right thalamo-somatosensory pathway in cLBP. Our findings highlight the involvement of the thalamo-sensorimotor circuit in the pathophysiology of cLBP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cui Ping Mao
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Georgia Wilson
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jin Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Nathaniel Meshberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Yiting Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Nikolenko VN, Shelomentseva EM, Tsvetkova MM, Abdeeva EI, Giller DB, Babayeva JV, Achkasov EE, Gavryushova LV, Sinelnikov MY. Nociceptors: Their Role in Body’s Defenses, Tissue Specific Variations and Anatomical Update. J Pain Res 2022; 15:867-877. [PMID: 35392632 PMCID: PMC8982820 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s348324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The human body is constantly under the influence of numerous pathological factors: both external and internal. These factors can be potentially harmful and are perceived as such with a specialized nervous system subunit: the nociceptive system. The functional unit of the nociceptive system is the nociceptor. Recent studies have shown that nociceptors play a crucial role in maintaining of defensive homeostasis (responsive, immune, behavioral). Nociceptors respond to potentially harmful stimuli within viscera, bones, muscles, skin and specialized sensory organs. They function as complex predictors of harm through formation of pain stimulus. Their function and structures vary within different tissues. This variability reflects the anatomical and pathological peculiarities of varying tissues. Nociceptors play a significant role in adaptive, protective and behavioral reactions. Their functional capabilities and vast spread throughout the body make them the main units of the body’s defense system, allowing us to interact with the inner and outer environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Nikolenko
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | | | | | - Elina I Abdeeva
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Dmitriy B Giller
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Juliya V Babayeva
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Evgeny E Achkasov
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | | | - Mikhail Y Sinelnikov
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, 119901, Russian Federation
- Correspondence: Mikhail Y Sinelnikov, Sechenov University, Trubetskaya 8, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation, Tel/Fax +7 89199688587, Email
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Ma Q. A functional subdivision within the somatosensory system and its implications for pain research. Neuron 2022; 110:749-769. [PMID: 35016037 PMCID: PMC8897275 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Somatosensory afferents are traditionally classified by soma size, myelination, and their response specificity to external and internal stimuli. Here, we propose the functional subdivision of the nociceptive somatosensory system into two branches. The exteroceptive branch detects external threats and drives reflexive-defensive reactions to prevent or limit injury. The interoceptive branch senses the disruption of body integrity, produces tonic pain with strong aversive emotional components, and drives self-caring responses toward to the injured region to reduce suffering. The central thesis behind this functional subdivision comes from a reflection on the dilemma faced by the pain research field, namely, the use of reflexive-defensive behaviors as surrogate assays for interoceptive tonic pain. The interpretation of these assays is now being challenged by the discovery of distinct but interwoven circuits that drive exteroceptive versus interoceptive types of behaviors, with the conflation of these two components contributing partially to the poor translation of therapies from preclinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiufu Ma
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Zhang Y, Lai S, Wu W, Wang Y, Zhao H, He J, Zhu Y, Chen G, Qi Z, Chen P, Lv S, Song Z, Hu Y, Miao H, Yan S, Luo Y, Ran H, Huang X, Lu X, Zhong S, Jia Y. Associations between executive function impairment and biochemical abnormalities in depressed adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury. J Affect Disord 2022; 298:492-499. [PMID: 34737017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND H protons magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) has been used to detect the biochemical metabolism changes and the mechanism of executive dysfunction in major depressive disorder (MDD). While, finding information associated with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents with MDD is challenging. The present study aimed to examine the executive function and biochemical metabolism alterations, as well as to elucidate their associations in depressed adolescents with NSSI. METHODS A total of 86 adolescents with MDD (40 with NSSI, and 46 without NSSI) and 28 healthy controls were recruited in the current study. The executive function was assessed by Digital symbol test (DST), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Trail Making Test, part B (TMT-B), and Verbal fluency (VF). Bilateral metabolite levels of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), anterior cingulated cortex (ACC), lenticular nucleus (LN) of basal ganglia and thalamus were obtained by 1H-MRS at 3.0 T, and then the ratios of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and choline-containing compounds (Cho) to creatine (Cr) were determined, respectively. Finally, association analysis was conducted to investigate their relationships. RESULTS The depressed adolescents with NSSI showed significantly lower VF scores than those without NSSI and healthy controls. We also found significantly higher NAA/Cr ratios in the right thalamus, while significantly lower Cho/Cr ratios in the right thalamus of NSSI group than the MDD without NSSI group and healthy controls. And NSSI group also showed lower NAA/Cr ratio in the right LN than the MDD without NSSI group. For MDD with NSSI, the NAA/Cr ratios of the left thalamus were positively correlated with the time of TMTB and the Cho/Cr ratios of the left ACC were positively correlated with the VF scores. CONCLUSIONS Depressed adolescents with NSSI may have executive dysfunction and NAA and Cho metabolism abnormalities in the thalamus. And the NAA/Cr ratios of the right LN could distinguish NSSI from depressed adolescents. Further, the executive dysfunction may be associated with the abnormal NAA metabolism in the left thalamus and ACC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiliang Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Shunkai Lai
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Weige Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China; The Department of Child and Adolescent Psychology Xiamen Xianyue hospital, Fujian 361012, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jiali He
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yunxia Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Guangmao Chen
- Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zhangzhang Qi
- Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Pan Chen
- Medical Imaging Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Sihui Lv
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510316, China
| | - Zijin Song
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510316, China
| | - Yilei Hu
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510316, China
| | - Haofei Miao
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510316, China
| | - Shuya Yan
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510316, China
| | - Yange Luo
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510316, China
| | - Hanglin Ran
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510316, China
| | - Xiaosi Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Xiaodan Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Shuming Zhong
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
| | - Yanbin Jia
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
De Ridder D, Adhia D, Vanneste S. The anatomy of pain and suffering in the brain and its clinical implications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 130:125-146. [PMID: 34411559 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Chronic pain, with a prevalence of 20-30 % is the major cause of human suffering worldwide, because effective, specific and safe therapies have yet to be developed. It is unevenly distributed among sexes, with women experiencing more pain and suffering. Chronic pain can be anatomically and phenomenologically dissected into three separable but interacting pathways, a lateral 'painfulness' pathway, a medial 'suffering' pathway and a descending pain inhibitory pathway. One may have pain(fullness) without suffering and suffering without pain(fullness). Pain sensation leads to suffering via a cognitive, emotional and autonomic processing, and is expressed as anger, fear, frustration, anxiety and depression. The medial pathway overlaps with the salience and stress networks, explaining that behavioural relevance or meaning determines the suffering associated with painfulness. Genetic and epigenetic influences trigger chronic neuroinflammatory changes which are involved in transitioning from acute to chronic pain. Based on the concept of the Bayesian brain, pain (and suffering) can be regarded as the consequence of an imbalance between the two ascending and the descending pain inhibitory pathways under control of the reward system. The therapeutic clinical implications of this simple pain model are obvious. After categorizing the working mechanisms of each of the available treatments (pain killers, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, neuromodulation, psychosurgery, spinal cord stimulation) to 1 or more of the 3 pathways, a rational combination can be proposed of activating the descending pain inhibitory pathway in combination with inhibition of the medial and lateral pathway, so as to rebalance the pain (and suffering) pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dirk De Ridder
- Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Divya Adhia
- Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sven Vanneste
- Global Brain Health Institute, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Huynh V, Lütolf R, Rosner J, Luechinger R, Curt A, Kollias S, Hubli M, Michels L. Supraspinal nociceptive networks in neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:3733-3749. [PMID: 34132441 PMCID: PMC8288099 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury involves plastic changes along the whole neuroaxis. Current neuroimaging studies have identified grey matter volume (GMV) and resting-state functional connectivity changes of pain processing regions related to neuropathic pain intensity in spinal cord injury subjects. However, the relationship between the underlying neural processes and pain extent, a complementary characteristic of neuropathic pain, is unknown. We therefore aimed to reveal the neural markers of widespread neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury subjects and hypothesized that those with greater pain extent will show higher GMV and stronger connectivity within pain related regions. Thus, 29 chronic paraplegic subjects and 25 healthy controls underwent clinical and electrophysiological examinations combined with neuroimaging. Paraplegics were demarcated based on neuropathic pain and were thoroughly matched demographically. Our findings indicate that (a) spinal cord injury subjects with neuropathic pain display stronger connectivity between prefrontal cortices and regions involved with sensory integration and multimodal processing, (b) greater neuropathic pain extent, is associated with stronger connectivity between the posterior insular cortex and thalamic sub-regions which partake in the lateral pain system and (c) greater intensity of neuropathic pain is related to stronger connectivity of regions involved with multimodal integration and the affective-motivational component of pain. Overall, this study provides neuroimaging evidence that the pain phenotype of spinal cord injury subjects is related to the underlying function of their resting brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Huynh
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience CenterUniversity Hospital Zurich & University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Spinal Cord Injury CenterBalgrist University Hospital, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Robin Lütolf
- Spinal Cord Injury CenterBalgrist University Hospital, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Jan Rosner
- Spinal Cord Injury CenterBalgrist University Hospital, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Department of Neurology, InselspitalBern University Hospital, University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Roger Luechinger
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringUniversity and ETH ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury CenterBalgrist University Hospital, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Spyridon Kollias
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience CenterUniversity Hospital Zurich & University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Michèle Hubli
- Spinal Cord Injury CenterBalgrist University Hospital, University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Lars Michels
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience CenterUniversity Hospital Zurich & University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Cortical representation of experimental periodontal pain: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15738. [PMID: 34344918 PMCID: PMC8333250 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94775-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate central pain representations during loading of the periodontium induced by orthodontic and occlusal stress. Nineteen healthy male volunteers (25.7 ± 2.8 years) were tested on two consecutive days: after phenotyping (questionnaires) and determination of warmth (WPT) and heat (HPT) pain thresholds, functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed as event-related paradigm including 36 tooth clenchings of 3 s duration, alternating with rest periods varying between 20–30 s. The task was performed in absence (T1) and 24 h after placement of an elastic separator between the second bicuspid and the first molar on the right side of the lower jaw (T2). No significant changes in WPT and HPT were observed but pain ratings were significantly elevated at T2. Significantly elevated activation at T2, as compared to T1, was found in bilateral sensorimotor cortex, bilateral secondary sensory cortex, supplementary motor area, right rolandic operculum, and bilateral insula. Our data show for the first time in humans that periodontal stimulation, as tested by tooth clenching in the presence of an elastic separator, goes along with specific expressions of pain at behavioral and neuronal network levels. Findings supplement the existing neuroimaging literature on odontogenic pain.
Collapse
|
38
|
Kim D, Chae Y, Park HJ, Lee IS. Effects of Chronic Pain Treatment on Altered Functional and Metabolic Activities in the Brain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Functional Neuroimaging Studies. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:684926. [PMID: 34290582 PMCID: PMC8287208 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.684926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have identified altered brain changes in chronic pain patients, however, it remains unclear whether these changes are reversible. We summarized the neural and molecular changes in patients with chronic pain and employed a meta-analysis approach to quantify the changes. We included 75 studies and 11 of these 75 studies were included in the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) analysis. In the 62 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, the primary somatosensory and motor cortex (SI and MI), thalamus, insula, and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) showed significantly decreased activity after the treatments compared to baseline. In the 13 positron emission tomography (PET) studies, the SI, MI, thalamus, and insula showed significantly increased glucose uptake, blood flow, and opioid-receptor binding potentials after the treatments compared to baseline. A meta-analysis of fMRI studies in patients with chronic pain, during pain-related tasks, showed a significant deactivation likelihood cluster in the left medial posterior thalamus. Further studies are warranted to understand brain reorganization in patients with chronic pain compared to the normal state, in terms of its relationship with symptom reduction and baseline conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongwon Kim
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Younbyoung Chae
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In-Seon Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
- Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Genaro K, Prado WA. The role of the anterior pretectal nucleus in pain modulation: A comprehensive review. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:4358-4380. [PMID: 33909941 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Descending pain modulation involves multiple encephalic sites and pathways that range from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord. Behavioral studies conducted in the 1980s revealed that electrical stimulation of the pretectal area causes antinociception dissociation from aversive responses. Anatomical and physiological studies identified the anterior pretectal nucleus and its descending projections to several midbrain, pontine, and medullary structures. The anterior pretectal nucleus is morphologically divided into a dorsal part that contains a dense neuron population (pars compacta) and a ventral part that contains a dense fiber band network (pars reticulata). Connections of the two anterior pretectal nucleus parts are broad and include prominent projections to and from major encephalic systems associated with somatosensory processes. Since the first observation that acute or chronic noxious stimuli activate the anterior pretectal nucleus, it has been established that numerous mediators participate in this response through distinct pathways. Recent studies have confirmed that at least two pain inhibitory pathways are activated from the anterior pretectal nucleus. This review focuses on rodent anatomical, behavioral, molecular, and neurochemical data that have helped to identify mediators of the anterior pretectal nucleus and pathways related to its role in pain modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karina Genaro
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Wiliam A Prado
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Zhang F, Li F, Yang H, Jin Y, Lai W, Roberts N, Jia Z, Gong Q. Effect of experimental orthodontic pain on gray and white matter functional connectivity. CNS Neurosci Ther 2021; 27:439-448. [PMID: 33369178 PMCID: PMC7941220 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Over 90% of patients receiving orthodontic treatment experience clinically significant pain. However, little is known about the neural correlates of orthodontic pain and which has therefore been investigated in the present study of healthy subjects using an experimental paradigm. METHODS Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) was performed in 44 healthy subjects 24 hours after an elastic separator had been introduced between the first and the second molar on the right side of the lower jaw and in 49 age- and sex-matched healthy control (HC) subjects. A K-means clustering algorithm was used to identify functional gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) resting-state networks, and differences in functional connectivity (FC) of GM and WM between the group of subjects with experimental orthodontic pain and HC were analyzed. RESULTS Twelve GM networks and 14 WM networks with high stability were identified. Compared with HC, subjects with orthodontic pain showed significantly increased FC between WM12, which includes posterior thalamic radiation and posterior cingulum bundle, and most GM networks. Besides, the WM12 network showed significant differences in FC with three GM-WM loops involving the default mode network, dorsal attention network, and salience network, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Orthodontic pain is shown to produce an alteration of FC in networks relevant to pain processing, which may be mediated by a WM network relevant to emotion perception and cognitive processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)Department of Radiology, Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Fei Li
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)Department of Radiology, Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Hong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseaseDepartment of OrthodonticsWest China School of Stomatology, Sichuan UniversityChengdu
| | - Yu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseaseDepartment of OrthodonticsWest China School of Stomatology, Sichuan UniversityChengdu
| | - Wenli Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Oral DiseaseDepartment of OrthodonticsWest China School of Stomatology, Sichuan UniversityChengdu
| | - Neil Roberts
- School of Clinical SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Zhiyun Jia
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)Department of Radiology, Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of Nuclear MedicineWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)Department of Radiology, Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Jin Y, Yang H, Zhang F, Wang J, Liu H, Yang X, Long H, Li F, Gong Q, Lai W. The Medial Thalamus Plays an Important Role in the Cognitive and Emotional Modulation of Orofacial Pain: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Study. Front Neurol 2021; 11:589125. [PMID: 33551953 PMCID: PMC7859266 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.589125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The thalamus plays a critical role in the perception of orofacial pain. We investigated the neural mechanisms of orofacial pain by exploring the intrinsic functional alterations of the thalamus and assessing the changes in functional connectivity (FC) between the thalamic subregions with significant functional alterations and other brain regions in orofacial pain using the seed-based FC approach. There were 49 participants in the orofacial pain group and 49 controls. Orofacial pain was caused by orthodontic separators. The resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of the two groups were analyzed to obtain the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) of the thalamus; the thalamic subregions with significant fALFF abnormalities were used as seeds for FC analysis. Student's t-tests were used for comparisons. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed using SPM software. Forty-four participants with orofacial pain (mean age, 21.0 ± 0.9 years; 24 women) and 49 age- and sex-matched controls (mean age, 21.0 ± 2.6 years; 27 women) were finally included. Compared with the control group, the orofacial pain group demonstrated the following: (1) increased function in the dorsal area of the thalamus and decreased function in the medial thalamus; (2) decreased FC between the medial thalamus and 12 brain regions (p < 0.05, family-wise error corrected, voxel > 100); and (3) potential positive and negative correlations between the medial thalamus-seeded FC and visual analog scale score changes (p < 0.05, AlphaSim corrected). The findings show that the medial and dorsal thalami play important roles in orofacial pain perception, and that the medial thalamus likely plays an important role in the cognitive and emotional modulation of orofacial pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Feifei Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jue Wang
- West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - He Liu
- Department of Orthodontics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Hu Long
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Psychoradiology Research Unit of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2018RU011), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenli Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Kong J, Huang Y, Liu J, Yu S, Ming C, Chen H, Wilson G, Harvey WF, Li W, Wang C. Altered functional connectivity between hypothalamus and limbic system in fibromyalgia. Mol Brain 2021; 14:17. [PMID: 33472674 PMCID: PMC7816461 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00705-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system and plays a crucial role in maintaining the human body's homeostasis. This study aims to investigate the resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) changes of the hypothalamus in fibromyalgia patients. 24 Fibromyalgia patients and 24 matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Resting state fMRI data were collected from the fibromyalgia patients and HC's. Fibromyalgia patients went through a second scan after 12 weeks of Tai Chi mind-body intervention. Data analysis showed that fibromyalgia patients displayed less medial hypothalamus (MH) rsFC with the thalamus and amygdala when compared to the functional connectivity in the HCs. After the Tai Chi mind-body intervention, fibromyalgia patients showed increased MH rsFC with the thalamus and amygdala accompanied by clinical improvement. Effective connectivity analysis showed disrupted MH and thalamus interaction in the fibromyalgia patients, which was altered by mind-body exercise. Our findings suggest that fibromyalgia is associated with altered functional connectivity within the diencephalon and limbic system. Elucidating the roles of the diencephalon and limbic system in the pathophysiology and development of fibromyalgia may facilitate the development of a new biomarker and effective treatment methods for this prevalent disorder.Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02407665. Registered: 3 April 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02407665?term=NCT02407665&draw=2&rank=1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
| | - Yiting Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Jiao Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Siyi Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Cheng Ming
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Helen Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Georgia Wilson
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - William F Harvey
- Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center / Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Chenchen Wang
- Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center / Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Dynamics of neuronal oscillations underlying nociceptive response in the mouse primary somatosensory cortex. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1667. [PMID: 33462296 PMCID: PMC7813887 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81067-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is caused by tissue injury, inflammatory disease, pathogen invasion, or neuropathy. The perception of pain is attributed to the neuronal activity in the brain. However, the dynamics of neuronal activity underlying pain perception are not fully known. Herein, we examined theta-oscillation dynamics of local field potentials in the primary somatosensory cortex of a mouse model of formalin-induced pain, which usually shows a bimodal behavioral response interposed between pain-free periods. We found that formalin injection exerted a reversible shift in the theta-peak frequency toward a slower frequency. This shift was observed during nociceptive phases but not during the pain-free period and was inversely correlated with instantaneous pain intensity. Furthermore, instantaneous oscillatory analysis indicated that the probability of slow theta oscillations increased during nociceptive phases with an association of augmented slow theta power. Finally, cross-frequency coupling between theta and gamma oscillations indicated that the coupling peak frequency of theta oscillations was also shifted toward slower oscillations without affecting coupling strength or gamma power. Together, these results suggest that the dynamic changes in theta oscillations in the mouse primary somatosensory cortex represent the ongoing status of pain sensation.
Collapse
|
44
|
Lottering B, Lin YW. Functional characterization of nociceptive mechanisms involved in fibromyalgia and electroacupuncture. Brain Res 2021; 1755:147260. [PMID: 33422528 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147260] [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: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain in diseases such as fibromyalgia (FM) are lacking effective standardised protocols that can be widely accessed and implemented by healthcare professionals across the globe. Persistent hyperalgesia and allodynia are characteristic symptoms of FM. This disease has indicated a refractory tendency to conventional treatment ventures, largely resultant from a lack of etiological and pathogenic understanding of the disease development. Emerging evidence indicates that the central nervous system (CNS) plays a critical role in the amplification of pain signals and the neurotransmitters associated therewith. We examined the contribution of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel and the major nociceptive components in response to fibromyalgia-like pain in an intermittent cold-stress (ICS) model, in the prefrontal cortex, somatosensory cortex, hippocampus and thalamus areas of the brain. The use of TRPV1 gene deletion mice served to elucidate the role of the TRPV1 receptor in the development and expression of FM-like pain. The results suggest that TRPV1 upregulation is central to the sustained sensation of FM related hyperalgesia. Furthermore, the potential therapeutic benefits of electroacupuncture (EA) at bilateral ST36 acupoint were analysed in order to identify the analgesic effects and mechanism associated with this therapy. The findings indicate that EA treatment successfully attenuated both mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and suggests that a definitive underlying mechanism of neuromodulation through EA is responsible for providing analgesic benefits to patients suffering from FM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernice Lottering
- College of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wen Lin
- College of Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Chinese Medicine Research Centre, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Isenburg K, Mawla I, Loggia ML, Ellingsen DM, Protsenko E, Kowalski MH, Swensen D, O'Dwyer-Swensen D, Edwards RR, Napadow V, Kettner N. Increased Salience Network Connectivity Following Manual Therapy is Associated with Reduced Pain in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2020; 22:545-555. [PMID: 33321196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Chronic low back pain (cLBP) has been associated with changes in brain plasticity. Nonpharmacological therapies such as Manual Therapy (MT) have shown promise for relieving cLBP. However, translational neuroimaging research is needed to understand potential central mechanisms supporting MT. We investigated the effect of MT on resting-state salience network (SLN) connectivity, and whether this was associated with changes in clinical pain. Fifteen cLBP patients, and 16 matched healthy controls (HC) were scanned with resting functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), before and immediately after a MT intervention (cross-over design with two separate visits, pseudorandomized, grades V 'Manipulation' and III 'Mobilization' of the Maitland Joint Mobilization Grading Scale). Patients rated clinical pain (0-100) pre- and post-therapy. SLN connectivity was assessed using dual regression probabilistic independent component analysis. Both manipulation (Pre: 39.43 ± 16.5, Post: 28.43 ± 16.5) and mobilization (Pre: 38.83 ± 17.7, Post: 31.76 ± 19.4) reduced clinical back pain (P < .05). Manipulation (but not mobilization) significantly increased SLN connectivity to thalamus and primary motor cortex. Additionally, a voxelwise regression indicated that greater MT-induced increase in SLN connectivity to the lateral prefrontal cortex was associated with greater clinical back pain reduction immediately after intervention, for both manipulation (r = -0.8) and mobilization (r = -0.54). Our results suggest that MT is successful in reducing clinical low back pain by both spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization. Furthermore, this reduction post-manipulation occurs via modulation of SLN connectivity to sensorimotor, affective, and cognitive processing regions. PERSPECTIVE: MT both reduces clinical low back pain and modulates brain activity important for the processing of pain. This modulation was shown by increased functional brain connectivity between the salience network and brain regions involved in cognitive, affective, and sensorimotor processing of pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kylie Isenburg
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Ishtiaq Mawla
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marco L Loggia
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dan-Mikael Ellingsen
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Diagnostic Physics, Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ekaterina Protsenko
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew H Kowalski
- Osher Center for Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David Swensen
- Melrose Family Chiropractic & Sports Injury Centre, Melrose, Massachusetts
| | | | - Robert R Edwards
- Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Vitaly Napadow
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Anesthesiology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiology, Logan University, Chesterfield, Missouri
| | - Norman Kettner
- Department of Radiology, Logan University, Chesterfield, Missouri
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Squintani G, Rasera A, Segatti A, Concon E, Bonetti B, Valeriani M, Tinazzi M. Conditioned pain modulation affects the N2/P2 complex but not the N1 wave: A pilot study with laser-evoked potentials. Eur J Pain 2020; 25:550-557. [PMID: 33170987 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 'pain-inhibits-pain' effect stems from neurophysiological mechanisms involving endogenous modulatory systems termed diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC) or conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) components, the N2/P2 complex, and the N1 wave, reflect the medial and lateral pain pathway, respectively: anatomically, the lateral thalamic nuclei (LT) project mainly to the somatosensory cortex (N1 generator), while the medial thalamic nuclei (MT) are bound to the limbic cortices (N2/P2 generators). METHODS We applied a CPM protocol in which the test stimulus was laser stimulation and the conditioning stimulus was a cold pressor test. LEPs recordings were obtained from 15 healthy subjects in three different conditions: baseline, during heterotopic noxious conditioning stimulation (HNCS) and post-HNCS. RESULTS We observed a significant reduction in N2/P2 amplitude during HNCS and a return to pre-test amplitude post-HNCS, whereas the N1 wave remained unchanged during and post-HNCS. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that CPM affects only the medial pain system. The spinothalamic tract (STT) transmits to both the LT and the MT, while the spinoreticulothalamic (SRT) projects only to the MT. The reduction in the amplitude of the N2/P2 complex and the absence of change in the N1 wave suggest that DNIC inhibition on the dorsal horn neurons affects only pain transmission via the SRT, while the neurons that give rise to the STT are not involved. The N1 wave can be a reliable neurophysiological parameter for assessment of STT function in clinical practice, as it does not seem to be influenced by CPM. SIGNIFICANCE No reports have described the effect of DNIC on lateral and medial pain pathways. We studied the N1 wave and the N2/P2 complex to detect changes during a CPM protocol. We found a reduction in the amplitude of the N2/P2 complex and no change in the N1 wave. This suggests that the DNIC inhibitory effect on dorsal horns neurons affects only pain transmission via the SRT, whereas the neurons that give rise to the STT are not involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Squintani
- Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Neuroscience Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Rasera
- Department of Neurological, Neuropsychological, Morphological and Motor Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessia Segatti
- Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Neuroscience Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy
| | - Elisa Concon
- Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Neuroscience Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy
| | - Bruno Bonetti
- Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Neuroscience Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Michele Tinazzi
- Department of Neurological, Neuropsychological, Morphological and Motor Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Montes Angeles CD, Andrade Gonzalez RD, Hernandez EP, García Hernández AL, Pérez Martínez IO. Sensory, Affective, and Cognitive Effects of Trigeminal Injury in Mice. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2020; 78:2169-2181. [PMID: 32866484 DOI: 10.1016/j.joms.2020.07.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize adequate study of chronic neuropathic orofacial pain induced by a mental nerve injury in a mouse model, we propose a behavioral assessment of its dimensions: sensory, affective, and cognitive. MATERIALS AND METHODS Trigeminal injury was induced by a chronic mental nerve constriction (MnC). Behavioral tests were conducted to assess the different dimensions of pain and to evaluate the general well-being of mice. RESULTS Rodents who went through MnC showed signs of mechanical hyperalgesia and increased escape/avoidance behavior. They showed no alterations in general well-being behaviors, yet the injury was sufficient to induce impairment in the ability to adapt to the environmental requirements. CONCLUSIONS MnC injury is an efficient model for the study of orofacial pain in mice, capable of inducing impairment in the different dimensions of pain. Intensity and temporality of its effects make our model less aggressive, yet effective to generate cognitive impairment. This work provides a solid foundation for the study of the neural circuits involved in the processing of neuropathic orofacial pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Daniela Montes Angeles
- Student/Resident, Sección de neurobiología de las sensaciones orales, Laboratorio de Investigación odontológica, Clínica Universitaria de Salud Integral Almaraz, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli, México
| | - Rey David Andrade Gonzalez
- Student/Resident, Sección de neurobiología de las sensaciones orales, Laboratorio de Investigación odontológica, Clínica Universitaria de Salud Integral Almaraz, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli, México
| | - Elias Perrusquia Hernandez
- Student/Resident, Sección de neurobiología de las sensaciones orales, Laboratorio de Investigación odontológica, Clínica Universitaria de Salud Integral Almaraz, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli, México
| | - Ana Lilia García Hernández
- Student/Resident, Research Professor, Sección de Osteoinmunología, Laboratorio de Investigación odontológica, Clínica Universitaria de Salud Integral Almaraz, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli, México
| | - Isaac Obed Pérez Martínez
- Student/Resident, Research Professor, Sección de neurobiología de las sensaciones orales, Laboratorio de Investigación odontológica, Clínica Universitaria de Salud Integral Almaraz, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuautitlán Izcalli, México.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Kuner R, Kuner T. Cellular Circuits in the Brain and Their Modulation in Acute and Chronic Pain. Physiol Rev 2020; 101:213-258. [PMID: 32525759 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00040.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic, pathological pain remains a global health problem and a challenge to basic and clinical sciences. A major obstacle to preventing, treating, or reverting chronic pain has been that the nature of neural circuits underlying the diverse components of the complex, multidimensional experience of pain is not well understood. Moreover, chronic pain involves diverse maladaptive plasticity processes, which have not been decoded mechanistically in terms of involvement of specific circuits and cause-effect relationships. This review aims to discuss recent advances in our understanding of circuit connectivity in the mammalian brain at the level of regional contributions and specific cell types in acute and chronic pain. A major focus is placed on functional dissection of sub-neocortical brain circuits using optogenetics, chemogenetics, and imaging technological tools in rodent models with a view towards decoding sensory, affective, and motivational-cognitive dimensions of pain. The review summarizes recent breakthroughs and insights on structure-function properties in nociceptive circuits and higher order sub-neocortical modulatory circuits involved in aversion, learning, reward, and mood and their modulation by endogenous GABAergic inhibition, noradrenergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and peptidergic pathways. The knowledge of neural circuits and their dynamic regulation via functional and structural plasticity will be beneficial towards designing and improving targeted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohini Kuner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; and Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kuner
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; and Department of Functional Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
A Fatal Alliance between Microglia, Inflammasomes, and Central Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113764. [PMID: 32466593 PMCID: PMC7312017 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the resident immune cells in the CNS, which survey the brain parenchyma for pathogens, initiate inflammatory responses, secrete inflammatory mediators, and phagocyte debris. Besides, they play a role in the regulation of brain ion homeostasis and in pruning synaptic contacts and thereby modulating neural networks. More recent work shows that microglia are embedded in brain response related to stress phenomena, the development of major depressive disorders, and pain-associated neural processing. The microglia phenotype varies between activated-toxic-neuroinflammatory to non-activated-protective-tissue remodeling, depending on the challenges and regulatory signals. Increased inflammatory reactions result from brain damage, such as stroke, encephalitis, as well as chronic dysfunctions, including stress and pain. The dimension of damage/toxic stimuli defines the amplitude of inflammation, ranging from an on-off event to low but continuous simmering to uncontrollable. Pain, either acute or chronic, involves inflammasome activation at the point of origin, the different relay stations, and the sensory and processing cortical areas. This short review aimed at identifying a sinister role of the microglia-inflammasome platform for the development and perpetuation of acute and chronic central pain and its association with changes in CNS physiology.
Collapse
|
50
|
Khammissa RAG, Ballyram R, Fourie J, Bouckaert M, Lemmer J, Feller L. Selected pathobiological features and principles of pharmacological pain management. J Int Med Res 2020; 48:300060520903653. [PMID: 32408839 PMCID: PMC7232056 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520903653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain induced by inflammation and nerve injury arises from abnormal neural activity of primary afferent nociceptors in response to tissue damage, which causes long-term elevation of the sensitivity and responsiveness of spinal cord neurons. Inflammatory pain typically resolves following resolution of inflammation; however, nerve injury-either peripheral or central-may cause persistent neuropathic pain, which frequently manifests as hyperalgesia or allodynia. Neuralgias, malignant metastatic bone disease, and diabetic neuropathy are some of the conditions associated with severe, often unremitting chronic pain that is both physically and psychologically debilitating or disabling. Therefore, optimal pain management for patients with chronic neuropathic pain requires a multimodal approach that comprises pharmacological and psychological interventions. Non-opioid analgesics (e.g., paracetamol, aspirin, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are first-line agents used in the treatment of mild-to-moderate acute pain, while opioids of increasing potency are indicated for the treatment of persistent, moderate-to-severe inflammatory pain. N-methyl D-aspartate receptor antagonists, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or a combination of these should be considered for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. This review discusses the various neural signals that mediate acute and chronic pain, as well as the general principles of pain management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razia Abdool Gafaar Khammissa
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Sefako Makgatho
University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of
Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Raoul Ballyram
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Sefako Makgatho
University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jeanine Fourie
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Sefako Makgatho
University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Michael Bouckaert
- Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Sefako Makgatho
University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Johan Lemmer
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Sefako Makgatho
University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Liviu Feller
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Sefako Makgatho
University, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|