1
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Strigo IA, Craig ADB, Simmons AN. Expectation of pain and relief: A dynamical model of the neural basis for pain-trauma co-morbidity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105750. [PMID: 38849067 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105750] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is highly co-morbid with chronic pain conditions. When present, PTSD significantly worsens chronic pain outcomes. Likewise, pain contributes to a more severe PTSD as evidenced by greater disability, more frequent use of harmful opioid analgesics and increased pain severity. The biomechanism behind this comorbidity is incompletely understood, however recent work strongly supports the widely-accepted role of expectation, in the entanglement of chronic pain and trauma symptoms. This work has shown that those with trauma have a maladaptive brain response while expecting stress and pain, whereas those with chronic pain may have a notable impairment in brain response while expecting pain relief. This dynamical expectation model of the interaction between neural systems underlying expectation of pain onset (traumatic stress) and pain offset (chronic pain) is biologically viable and may provide a biomechanistic insight into pain-trauma comorbidity. These predictive mechanisms work through interoceptive pathways in the brain critically the insula cortex. Here we highlight how the neural expectation-related mechanisms augment the existing models of pain and trauma to better understand the dynamics of pain and trauma comorbidity. These ideas will point to targeted complementary clinical approaches, based on mechanistically separable neural biophenotypes for the entanglement of chronic pain and trauma symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina A Strigo
- Emotion and Pain Laboratory, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | | | - Alan N Simmons
- Center of Excellence in Stress and Mental Health, San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, 3350 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92161, USA; Stress and Neuroimaging Laboratory, San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, MC 151-B, San Diego, CA 92161, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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2
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Medina S, Clarke S, Hughes S. Virtual reality-based analgesia: towards a novel framework for the biopsychosocial management of chronic pain. Br J Anaesth 2024:S0007-0912(24)00343-X. [PMID: 38997839 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2024.06.005] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) holds unmeasured potential as a multicomponent tool for managing chronic pain by adapting conventional in-person biopsychosocial pain management strategies into one virtual space. We review recent evidence showcasing the successful integration of cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, embodiment techniques, and physical therapy into VR environments, demonstrating positive outcomes in patients with chronic pain. We propose that future clinical and basic research build on this by integrating pain neuroscience techniques to help better understand pathophysiological pain mechanisms and treatment response. This could help facilitate early assessment and personalised treatment of chronic pain using a VR-based biopsychosocial approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Medina
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Sophie Clarke
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Sam Hughes
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
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3
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Ludwig M, Yi YJ, Lüsebrink F, Callaghan MF, Betts MJ, Yakupov R, Weiskopf N, Dolan RJ, Düzel E, Hämmerer D. Functional locus coeruleus imaging to investigate an ageing noradrenergic system. Commun Biol 2024; 7:777. [PMID: 38937535 PMCID: PMC11211439 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06446-5] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The locus coeruleus (LC), our main source of norepinephrine (NE) in the brain, declines with age and is a potential epicentre of protein pathologies in neurodegenerative diseases (ND). In vivo measurements of LC integrity and function are potentially important biomarkers for healthy ageing and early ND onset. In the present study, high-resolution functional MRI (fMRI), a reversal reinforcement learning task, and dedicated post-processing approaches were used to visualise age differences in LC function (N = 50). Increased LC responses were observed during emotionally and task-related salient events, with subsequent accelerations and decelerations in reaction times, respectively, indicating context-specific adaptive engagement of the LC. Moreover, older adults exhibited increased LC activation compared to younger adults, indicating possible compensatory overactivation of a structurally declining LC in ageing. Our study shows that assessment of LC function is a promising biomarker of cognitive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Ludwig
- Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
- CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Yeo-Jin Yi
- Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Falk Lüsebrink
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- NMR Methods Development Group, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martina F Callaghan
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew J Betts
- Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Renat Yakupov
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Weiskopf
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Felix Bloch Institute for Solid State Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth Sciences, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Raymond J Dolan
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Max Planck University College London Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, London, UK
| | - Emrah Düzel
- Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dorothea Hämmerer
- Institute of Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- CBBS Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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4
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Han Y, Ai L, Song L, Zhou Y, Chen D, Sha S, Ji R, Li Q, Bu Q, Pan X, Zhai X, Cui M, Duan J, Yang J, Chaudhury D, Hu A, Liu H, Han MH, Cao JL, Zhang H. Midbrain glutamatergic circuit mechanism of resilience to socially transferred allodynia in male mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4947. [PMID: 38858350 PMCID: PMC11164890 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49340-8] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The potential brain mechanism underlying resilience to socially transferred allodynia remains unknown. Here, we utilize a well-established socially transferred allodynia paradigm to segregate male mice into pain-susceptible and pain-resilient subgroups. Brain screening results show that ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons are selectively activated in pain-resilient mice as compared to control and pain-susceptible mice. Chemogenetic manipulations demonstrate that activation and inhibition of ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons bi-directionally regulate resilience to socially transferred allodynia. Moreover, ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons that project specifically to the nucleus accumbens shell and lateral habenula regulate the development and maintenance of the pain-resilient phenotype, respectively. Together, we establish an approach to explore individual variations in pain response and identify ventral tegmental area glutamatergic neurons and related downstream circuits as critical targets for resilience to socially transferred allodynia and the development of conceptually innovative analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Han
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Lin Ai
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Lingzhen Song
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Dandan Chen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Sha Sha
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Ran Ji
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Qize Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Qingyang Bu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Xiangyu Pan
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Xiaojing Zhai
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Mengqiao Cui
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Jiawen Duan
- Department of Mental Health and Public Health, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, PR China
| | - Junxia Yang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - Dipesh Chaudhury
- Division of Science, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Saadiyat Island, 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ankang Hu
- The Animal Facility of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China
| | - He Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou, Zhejiang, 313000, PR China
| | - Ming-Hu Han
- Department of Mental Health and Public Health, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, PR China.
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Jun-Li Cao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China.
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China.
| | - Hongxing Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China.
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, PR China.
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5
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Vieira WF, Coelho DRA, Litwiler ST, McEachern KM, Clancy JA, Morales-Quezada L, Cassano P. Neuropathic pain, mood, and stress-related disorders: A literature review of comorbidity and co-pathogenesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 161:105673. [PMID: 38614452 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105673] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain can be caused by multiple factors, and its prevalence can reach 10% of the global population. It is becoming increasingly evident that limited or short-lasting response to treatments for neuropathic pain is associated with psychological factors, which include psychiatric comorbidities known to affect quality of life. It is estimated that 60% of patients with neuropathic pain also experience depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Altered mood, including stress, can be a consequence of several painful conditions but can also favor pain chronicization when preexisting. Despite the apparent tight connection between clinical pain and mood/stress disorders, the exact physiological mechanisms remain unclear. This review aims to provide an overview of state-of-the-art research on the mechanisms of pain related to the pathophysiology of depression, anxiety, and stress disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willians Fernando Vieira
- Division of Neuropsychiatry and Neuromodulation, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (HMS), Boston, USA; Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB), University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - David Richer Araujo Coelho
- Division of Neuropsychiatry and Neuromodulation, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (HMS), Boston, USA; Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH), Boston, USA
| | - Scott Thomas Litwiler
- Center for Computational and Integrative Biology (CCIB), Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, USA
| | - Kayla Marie McEachern
- Division of Neuropsychiatry and Neuromodulation, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, USA
| | - Julie A Clancy
- Division of Neuropsychiatry and Neuromodulation, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, USA
| | - Leon Morales-Quezada
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Paolo Cassano
- Division of Neuropsychiatry and Neuromodulation, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (HMS), Boston, USA
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6
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Zaorska J, Skrzeszewski J, Kobyliński P, Trucco EM, Wojnar M, Kopera M, Jakubczyk A. From childhood trauma to alcohol use disorder severity - significance of depressive symptoms and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol. Alcohol Alcohol 2024; 59:agae041. [PMID: 38864292 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agae041] [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: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS The objective of the current study was to describe and analyse associations between childhood emotional abuse, severity of depressive symptoms, and analgesic expectations of drinking in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). METHODS A total of 240 individuals aged 43.85 ± 11.0 with severe AUD entering an inpatient, abstinence-based, and drug-free treatment program were assessed. The data on AUD severity, depressive symptoms, expectations towards the analgesic effects of alcohol and childhood emotional trauma was collected using questionnaire measures. The PROCESS SPSS macro for serial mediation with bootstrapping was used to test whether current severity of depressive symptoms and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol use serially mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity. RESULTS There was evidence for two simple mediated effects, whereby the severity of depressive symptoms mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity, and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity. There was also evidence to support serial mediation whereby both severity of depressive symptoms and expectations towards analgesic effects of alcohol mediated the association between childhood emotional abuse on AUD symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS It might be clinically relevant to address experiences of childhood emotional trauma, as well as individual expectations of analgesic effects of alcohol, in AUD treatment programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Zaorska
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Nowowiejska 27, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jakub Skrzeszewski
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Nowowiejska 27, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Kobyliński
- National Information Processing Institute, Laboratory of Interactive Technologies, al. Niepodległości 188B, 00-608 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elisa Maria Trucco
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, AHC 1 Miami, FL 33199, USA
- Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, AHC 1 Miami, FL 33199, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Addiction Center, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marcin Wojnar
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Nowowiejska 27, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Kopera
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Nowowiejska 27, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Jakubczyk
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Nowowiejska 27, 00-665 Warsaw, Poland
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7
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Nichols SJ, Yanes JA, Reid MA, Robinson JL. 7 T characterization of excitatory and inhibitory systems of acute pain in healthy female participants. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2024; 37:e5088. [PMID: 38140895 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Current understanding of the physiological underpinnings of normative pain processing is incomplete. Enhanced knowledge of these systems is necessary to advance our understanding of pain processes as well as to develop effective therapeutic interventions. Previous neuroimaging research suggests a network of interrelated brain regions that seem to be implicated in the processing and experience of pain. Among these, the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) plays an important role in the affective aspects of pain signals. The current study leveraged functional MRS to investigate the underlying dynamic shifts in the neurometabolic signature of the human dACC at rest and during acute pain. Results provide support for increased glutamate levels following acute pain administration. Specifically, a 4.6% increase in glutamate was observed during moderate pressure pain compared with baseline. Exploratory analysis also revealed meaningful changes in dACC gamma aminobutyric acid in response to pain stimulation. These data contribute toward the characterization of neurometabolic shifts, which lend insight into the role of the dACC in the pain network. Further research in this area with larger sample sizes could contribute to the development of novel therapeutics or other advances in pain-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Nichols
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Julio A Yanes
- Exponent Inc., Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Meredith A Reid
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Jennifer L Robinson
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
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8
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Yang CX, Yu ZR, Li G, Liang XH, Li CD. Gray Matter Abnormalities in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Voxel-Based Morphometry Studies. World Neurosurg 2024; 184:e397-e407. [PMID: 38307195 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.01.138] [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: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies utilizing voxel-based morphometry (VBM) have documented gray matter (GM) alterations in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) compared to healthy controls. However, the inconsistency in GM abnormalities observed across different studies has hindered their potential application as objective neuroimaging biomarkers or therapeutic targets. To address this issue, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of VBM studies to identify robust GM differences between CLBP patients and healthy controls. METHODS The databases including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched from January 2000 to September 2022 to identify eligible neuroimaging studies. In this coordinate-based meta-analysis of VBM studies, the Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images method was used to quantitatively assess regional differences in GM between CLBP patients and healthy controls. RESULTS Thirteen VBM studies, involving a total of 574 CLBP patients and 1239 healthy controls, were included in the meta-analysis. The findings revealed that CLBP patients exhibited increased GM in the left striatum and left postcentral gyrus and decreased GM in the left superior frontal gyrus, left cerebellum, right striatum, left insula, and right middle occipital gyrus compared to healthy controls. The jackknife sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these neuroimaging findings. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insights into potential treatment strategies for CLBP and identifies neuroimaging biomarkers for pain chronification. These findings highlight the importance of considering regional GM abnormalities in the development of clinical interventions for CLBP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Xian Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng-Rong Yu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Hang Liang
- Center for MRI Research, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-De Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
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9
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Strigo IA, Kadlec M, Mitchell JM, Simmons AN. Identification of group differences in predictive anticipatory biasing of pain during uncertainty: preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00554. [PMID: 38501988 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Pain anticipation during conditions of uncertainty can unveil intrinsic biases, and understanding these biases can guide pain treatment interventions. This study used machine learning and functional magnetic resonance imaging to predict anticipatory responses in a pain anticipation experiment. One hundred forty-seven participants that included healthy controls (n = 57) and individuals with current and/or past mental health diagnosis (n = 90) received cues indicating upcoming pain stimuli: 2 cues predicted high and low temperatures, while a third cue introduced uncertainty. Accurate differentiation of neural patterns associated with specific anticipatory conditions was observed, involving activation in the anterior short gyrus of the insula and the nucleus accumbens. Three distinct response profiles emerged: subjects with a negative bias towards high pain anticipation, those with a positive bias towards low pain anticipation, and individuals whose predictions during uncertainty were unbiased. These profiles remained stable over one year, were consistent across diagnosed psychopathologies, and correlated with cognitive coping styles and underlying insula anatomy. The findings suggest that individualized and stable pain anticipation occurs in uncertain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina A Strigo
- Emotion and Pain Laboratory, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Molly Kadlec
- Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer M Mitchell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Alan N Simmons
- San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Care Center, San Diego, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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10
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Han S, Wang J, Zhang W, Tian X. Chronic Pain-Related Cognitive Deficits: Preclinical Insights into Molecular, Cellular, and Circuit Mechanisms. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04073-z. [PMID: 38470516 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04073-z] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a common comorbidity of chronic pain, significantly disrupting patients' quality of life. Despite this comorbidity being clinically recognized, the underlying neuropathological mechanisms remain unclear. Recent preclinical studies have focused on the fundamental mechanisms underlying the coexistence of chronic pain and cognitive decline. Pain chronification is accompanied by structural and functional changes in the neural substrate of cognition. Based on the developments in electrophysiology and optogenetics/chemogenetics, we summarized the relevant neural circuits involved in pain-induced cognitive impairment, as well as changes in connectivity and function in brain regions. We then present the cellular and molecular alternations related to pain-induced cognitive impairment in preclinical studies, mainly including modifications in neuronal excitability and structure, synaptic plasticity, glial cells and cytokines, neurotransmitters and other neurochemicals, and the gut-brain axis. Finally, we also discussed the potential treatment strategies and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Xuebi Tian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Geriatric Anesthesia and Perioperative Brain Health, and Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Anesthesia, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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11
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MacLean RR, Spinola S, Pittman B, Meyerovich J, Szollosy SK, Wolkowicz NR, Minnix S, Sofuoglu M. The relationship of pain intensity and opioid craving with delayed methadone dose: A preliminary study of individuals with opioid use disorder. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38439592 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.16027] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Despite a strong theoretical link between opioid craving and pain, little is known about the temporal relationship between pain and craving and the acute experience of pain in the context of methadone treatment. Using a cross-over design, the current study evaluated the time course of pain and craving and objective experience of pain as a function of the last methadone dose. METHODS Participants (n = 20) presented for the study in the morning and either received methadone dose as scheduled or delayed dose until the afternoon. During the 4-h study visit, participants completed a series of tasks, including repeated assessment of pain and craving at 0, +40, +70, +130, +160 and +240 min and a cold pressor test (CPT) at +15 and +220 min. RESULTS Separate mixed model results demonstrated no effect of dosing condition on craving; however, there was a significant dosing condition by time interaction (F(5,209) = 3.38, P = .006) such that pain increased over time in the delayed methadone condition but decreased in time in the scheduled methadone condition. A mixed model predicting self-reported pain revealed a three-way interaction between dosing condition, craving and time (F(5,197) = 2.39, P = .039) explained by a positive association between craving and pain at each time point (except 240 min) in delayed condition (P-range = .004-.0001). A separate mixed model on CPT data indicated a significant condition by time interaction such that pain threshold decreased in the delayed, but not scheduled, condition (F(1,57) = 4.01, P = .050). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings highlight the potential for increased risks after even a short delay in receiving a methadone dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ross MacLean
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Suzanne Spinola
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Brian Pittman
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Sara K Szollosy
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Noah R Wolkowicz
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Stacy Minnix
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mehmet Sofuoglu
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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12
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Da Silva JT, Hernandez-Rojas LG, Mekonen HK, Hanson S, Melemedjian O, Scott AJ, Ernst RK, Seminowicz DA, Traub RJ. Sex differences in visceral sensitivity and brain activity in a rat model of comorbid pain: a longitudinal study. Pain 2024; 165:698-706. [PMID: 37756658 PMCID: PMC10859847 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003074] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are 2 chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) that present with significant comorbidity. Both conditions are more prevalent in women and are exacerbated by stress. While peripheral mechanisms might contribute to pain hypersensitivity for each individual condition, mechanisms underlying the comorbidity are poorly understood, complicating pain management when multiple conditions are involved. In this study, longitudinal behavioral and functional MRI-based brain changes have been identified in an animal model of TMD-like pain (masseter muscle inflammation followed by stress) that induces de novo IBS-like comorbid visceral pain hypersensitivity in rats. In particular, data indicate that increased activity in the insula and regions of the reward and limbic systems are associated with more pronounced and longer-lasting visceral pain behaviors in female rats, while the faster pain resolution in male rats may be due to increased activity in descending pain inhibitory pathways. These findings suggest the critical role of brain mechanisms in chronic pain conditions and that sex may be a risk factor of developing COPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce T. Da Silva
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Luis G. Hernandez-Rojas
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Computing, School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Zapopan, Mexico
| | - Hayelom K. Mekonen
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shelby Hanson
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ohannes Melemedjian
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alison J. Scott
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Maastricht Multimodal Molecular Imaging (M4I) Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Robert K. Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David A. Seminowicz
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Richard J. Traub
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- UM Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, Baltimore, MD, United States
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13
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Vetterlein A, Hogeterp SA, Monzel M, Reuter M. A matter of personality and point of view: How the interplay of reinforcement sensitivity and general attitudes towards pain impacts the responsivity to acute pain. Eur J Pain 2024. [PMID: 38329141 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relatively stable individual differences reflected in Grey's revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (rRST), with foundations in neurophysiology and learning theory, appear particularly applicable to the study of pain. However, remarkably little research has been conducted in this area. In acute pain, activation of the behavioural approach system (BAS), the behavioural inhibition system (BIS) and the fight, flight, freezing system might depend on an individual's evaluation of pain. It was thus hypothesised that higher-order interactions of rRST traits and pain attitudes affect pain responsiveness. METHODS To investigate relationships between rRST traits and pain attitudes and to identify patterns between clusters of participants, we conducted a study in which N = 275 healthy participants filled in Reuter and Montag's rRST-Q and the General Attitudes Towards Pain Inventory (GATPI). Experimental (pressure, electrical, thermal) and self-report data of pain responsiveness were collected in a subsample (N = 113). RESULTS We found significant correlations between rRST-Q and GATPI subscales of up to r = 0.34. Two clusters were identified, significantly differing in rRST-Q and GATPI scores. Pain avoiders, characterized by high BIS, flight, freezing and negative pain attitudes, were found to be significantly more pain sensitive than pain approachers, characterized by high BAS, fight and positive pain attitudes. Moderate effects (d = 0.56 to d = 0.70) were demonstrated in subjective and objective measures and across pain modalities. CONCLUSIONS The present study expands the scientific knowledge on factors influencing pain responsiveness. Future research is needed to confirm implications for chronic pain prevention and therapy, particularly concerning pain avoiders. SIGNIFICANCE We have identified two clusters of participants, pain avoiders and pain approachers, that not only present differential patterns of revised reinforcement theory traits and general attitudes towards pain but also differ in their pain responsiveness. Pain avoiders appeared more pain sensitive compared to pain approachers, both in objective and subjective measurements, with implications for the improvement of chronic pain prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vetterlein
- Department of Psychology, Personality & Biological Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - S A Hogeterp
- Department of Psychology, Personality & Biological Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - M Monzel
- Department of Psychology, Personality & Biological Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - M Reuter
- Department of Psychology, Personality & Biological Psychology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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14
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Baliki MN, Vigotsky AD, Rached G, Jabakhanji R, Huang L, Branco P, Cong O, Griffith J, Wasan AD, Schnitzer TJ, Apkarian AV. Neuropsychology of chronic back pain managed with long-term opioid use. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.02.07.24302408. [PMID: 38370783 PMCID: PMC10871381 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.07.24302408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Chronic pain is commonly treated with long-term opioids, but the neuropsychological outcomes associated with stable long-duration opioid use remain unclear. Here, we contrasted the psychological profiles, brain activity, and brain structure of 70 chronic back pain patients on opioids (CBP+O, average opioid exposure 6.2 years) with 70 patients managing their pain without opioids. CBP+O exhibited moderately worse psychological profiles and small differences in brain morphology. However, CBP+O had starkly different spontaneous brain activity, dominated by increased mesocorticolimbic and decreased dorsolateral-prefrontal activity, even after controlling for pain intensity and duration. These differences strongly reflected cortical opioid and serotonin receptor densities and mapped to two antagonistic resting-state circuits. The circuits' dynamics were explained by mesocorticolimbic activity and reflected negative affect. We reassessed a sub-group of CBP+O after they briefly abstained from taking opioids. Network dynamics, but not spontaneous activity, reflected exacerbated signs of withdrawal. Our results have implications for the management and tapering of opioids in chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan N Baliki
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Andrew D Vigotsky
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Biomedical Engineering and Statistics & Data Science, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Gaelle Rached
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rami Jabakhanji
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lejian Huang
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Paulo Branco
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Anesthesia, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Olivia Cong
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - James Griffith
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Medical and Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ajay D Wasan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Thomas J Schnitzer
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Anesthesia, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - A Vania Apkarian
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Anesthesia, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
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15
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Liu W, Wang W, Wang Z, Xing Y. Ventral tegmental area dopaminergic circuits participates in stress-induced chronic postsurgical pain in male mice. BMC Neurosci 2024; 25:3. [PMID: 38195391 PMCID: PMC10775611 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00842-z] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic postsurgical pain (CPP) markedly impairs patients' quality of life. Research has shown that chronic stress may extend incisional nociception in male mice. Dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are integral to stress-related mental disorders (including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and PTSD) and pain. However, the impact of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) on mesolimbic dopamine (DA) transmission in the development of CPP is yet to be established. It remains uncertain whether the dopamine signals in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC), which regulate pain, derive from the VTA. This study aims to explore the role of VTA-rACC dopaminergic circuits in a mouse model of CPP induced by CSDS. METHODS We conducted CSDS on C57BL/6 J wild-type male mice (n = 12-16 mice/group) and DAT-cre male mice (n = 10-12 mice/group). After 10 days of CSDS, a left posterior plantar incision was made to establish a mouse model of CPP. Paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) were evaluated using Von-Frey fibre stimulation. The open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze test (EPM) were used to assess pain-related negative emotions. We used immunofluorescence staining and Western Blot to analyse D1, D2, c-Fos, and TH expression. DAergic fibre projections in the VTA-rACC neural pathway were traced using retrograde tracing and immunofluorescence staining. Optogenetics and Chemogenetics were employed to manipulate DAergic neurons in the VTA and their axons in the rACC. RESULTS The ipsilateral PWTs in male C57BL/6 J mice significantly decreased after surgery, returning to baseline after seven days. Conversely, in CSDS mice, ipsilateral PWTs remained reduced for at least 30 days post-incision. A significant reduction in TH-positive neurons expressing c-Fos in the VTA of CPP mice was observed 15 days post-incision. Activating DAergic neurons significantly improved ipsilateral PWTs and locomotor performance in the OFT and EPM in CPP mice post-incision. Additionally, D1 expression in the rACC was found to decrease in CPP mice, and this reduction counteracted the increase in PWTs caused by activating DAergic neuron axon terminals in the rACC. CONCLUSION CSDS results in chronicity of postsurgical nociception and anxiety-like negative emotions, with alterations in DA transmission playing a role in CPP. Specific activation of DAergic neurons mitigates nociceptive responses and anxiety-like bahaviors, possibly mediated by D1 receptors in the rACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhen Liu
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
- The Academy of Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Wang Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
- The Academy of Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Ziliang Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
- The Academy of Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China
| | - Ying Xing
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
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16
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Saghafi M, Danesh E, Askari R, Mousavi Z, Haghparast A. Differential Roles of the D1- and D2-Like Dopamine Receptors Within the Ventral Tegmental Area in Modulating the Antinociception Induced by Forced Swim Stress in the Rat. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:143-156. [PMID: 37642894 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-04017-4] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Several preclinical and clinical studies indicate that exposure to acute stress may decrease pain perception and increases pain tolerance. This phenomenon is called stress-induced analgesia (SIA). A variety of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, is involved in the SIA. Dopaminergic neurons in the mesolimbic circuits, originating from the ventral tegmental area (VTA), play a crucial role in various motivational, rewarding, and pain events. The present study aimed to investigate the modulatory role of VTA dopaminergic receptors in the antinociceptive responses evoked by forced swim stress (FSS) in a model of acute pain. One hundred-five adult male albino Wistar rats were subjected to stereotaxic surgery for implanting a unilateral cannula into the VTA. After one week of recovery, separate groups of animals were given different doses of SCH23390 and Sulpiride (0.25, 1, and 4 µg/0.3 µl) as D1- and D2-like receptor antagonists into the VTA, respectively. Then, the animals were exposed to FSS for a 6-min period, and the pain threshold was measured using the tail-flick test over a 60-min time set intervals. Results indicated that exposure to FSS produces a prominent antinociceptive response, diminishing by blocking both dopamine receptors in the VTA. Nonetheless, the effect of a D1-like dopamine receptor antagonist on FSS-induced analgesia was more prominent than that of a D2-like dopamine receptor antagonist. The results demonstrated that VTA dopaminergic receptors contribute to the pain process in stressful situations, and it might be provided a practical approach to designing new therapeutic agents for pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Saghafi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elaheh Danesh
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O.Box: 19615-1178, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Askari
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O.Box: 19615-1178, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Mousavi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O.Box: 19615-1178, Tehran, Iran.
- School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Basic Sciences, Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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17
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Yang Y, Wei X, Tian J, Zhu Y, Jia S, Shu Q. Scalp electroacupuncture targeting the VTA DA neurons to relieve negative emotions and promote the alleviation of chronic pain. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1323727. [PMID: 38188034 PMCID: PMC10771389 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1323727] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Object Chronic pain and negative emotions are often linked, and both can impact the reward circuit. The use of electroacupuncture (EA) has been found to regulate and improve these conditions. This study explores the potential mechanism of chronic pain relief by adding acupoints with emotional regulation effect to the basis of routine EA analgesia, to optimize the acupoint compatibility scheme of EA in the treatment of analgesia. Method For this study, 42 male Wistar rats were used. Recombinant adeno-associated viruses were used to label and regulate the activity of dopamine (DA) neurons. The rat model was established by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Lower limb electroacupuncture (LEA) was applied to the ST36 and BL60 acupoints. In addition, LEA + scalp EA (SEA) was given using the GV20 and GV24+ acupoints besides ST36 and BL60. To evaluate the pain threshold, we measured 50% paw withdrawal thresholds and thermal paw withdrawal latencies. Negative emotions were evaluated through the open field test, marble-burying test, sucrose preference test, and forced swimming test. Moreover, the conditional place preference test was conducted to measure the reward behavior in response to pain relief. Immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, and qPCR were used to detect the activity of the VTADA-NAc reward circuit. Result The injection of CFA significantly lowered the pain threshold. As the pain persisted, the anxiety and depression-like behaviors escalated while the response to reward reduced. Meanwhile, the VTADA-NAc pathway was suppressed with pain chronification. However, activating DA neurons in VTA attenuated the effects induced by CFA. LEA could relieve chronic pain, negative emotions, and reward disorders, while also activating the VTADA-NAc pathway. In addition, LEA + SEA exhibited a more pronounced effect compared with LEA alone. Nevertheless, chemogenetic inhibition of DA neurons decreased the efficacy of LEA + SEA in the treatment of chronic pain and associated comorbidities. Conclusion Adding SEA to conventional LEA effectively alleviates negative emotions and chronic pain, potentially due to the activation of the VTADA-NAc reward neural circuit. Thus, LEA + SEA is a more effective treatment for hyperalgesia and associated negative emotions compared with LEA alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Resources & Wugang General Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiali Wei
- College of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Tian
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ye Zhu
- College of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaohui Jia
- College of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Shu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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18
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Manhapra A, MacLean RR, Rosenheck R, Becker WC. Are opioids effective analgesics and is physiological opioid dependence benign? Revising current assumptions to effectively manage long-term opioid therapy and its deprescribing. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2023. [PMID: 37990580 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15972] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A re-examination of clinical principles of long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) for chronic pain is long overdue amid the ongoing opioid crisis. Most patients on LTOT report ineffectiveness (poor pain control, function and health) but still find deprescribing challenging. Although prescribed as analgesics, opioids more likely provide pain relief primarily through reward system actions (enhanced relief and motivation) and placebo effect and less through antinociceptive effects. The unavoidable physiologic LTOT dependence can automatically lead to a paradoxical worsening of pain, disability and medical instability (maladaptive opioid dependence) without addiction due to allostatic opponent neuroadaptations involving reward/antireward and nociceptive/antinociceptive systems. This opioid-induced chronic pain syndrome (OICP) can persist/progress whether LTOT dose is maintained at the same level, increased, decreased or discontinued. Current conceptualization of LTOT as a straightforward long-term analgesic therapy appears incongruous in view of the complex mechanisms of opioid action, LTOT dependence and OICP. LTOT can be more appropriately conceptualized as therapeutic induction and maintenance of an adaptive LTOT dependence for functional improvement irrespective of analgesic benefits. Adaptive LTOT dependence should be ideally used for a limited time to achieve maximum functional recovery and deprescribed while maintaining functional gains. Patients on LTOT should be regularly re-evaluated to identify if maladaptive LTOT dependence with OICP has diminished any functional gains or leads to ineffectiveness. Ineffective LTOT (with maladaptive LTOT dependence) should be modified to make it safer and more effective. An adequately functional life without opioids is the ideal healthy long-term goal for both LTOT initiation and LTOT modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Manhapra
- Section of Pain Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sciences, Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, Virginia, USA
- New England Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Psychiatry, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | - R Ross MacLean
- New England Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Robert Rosenheck
- New England Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - William C Becker
- Program in Addiction Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities & Education Center of Innovation, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
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19
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van der Venne P, Mürner-Lavanchy I, Höper S, Koenig J, Kaess M. Physiological response to pain in female adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury as a function of severity. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:64-73. [PMID: 37390927 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.041] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preliminary evidence indicates altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS) response to experimental pain in individuals with nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). This study investigated effects of NSSI severity and severity of psychopathology on the HPA axis and ANS response to pain. METHODS N = 164 adolescents with NSSI and n = 45 healthy controls received heat pain stimulation. Salivary cortisol, α-amylase and blood pressure were repeatedly assessed before and after painful stimulation. Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were assessed continuously. NSSI severity and comorbid psychopathology were derived from diagnostic assessments. Main and interaction effects of time of measurement and NSSI severity, adjusted for severity of adverse childhood experiences, borderline personality disorder and depression, on HPA axis and ANS response to pain were examined using regression analyses. RESULTS Increasing NSSI severity predicted an increasing cortisol response (χ2(3) = 12.09, p = .007) to pain. After adjusting for comorbid psychopathology, greater NSSI severity predicted decreased α-amylase levels following pain (χ2(3) = 10.47, p = .015), and decreased HR (χ2(2) = 8.53, p = .014) and increased HRV(χ2(2) = 13.43, p = .001) response to pain. LIMITATIONS Future research should implement several NSSI severity indicators, potentially revealing complex associations with the physiological response to pain. Assessing physiological responses to pain in NSSI in a naturalistic setting presents a promising avenue for future research in NSI. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate an increased pain-related HPA axis response and an ANS response characterized by reduced sympathetic and increased parasympathetic activity associated with NSSI severity. Results support claims for dimensional approaches to NSSI and its related psychopathology alongside shared, underlying neurobiological correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice van der Venne
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ines Mürner-Lavanchy
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Saskia Höper
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Psychology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julian Koenig
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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20
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Hector MS, Cheng JC, Hemington KS, Rogachov A, Kim JA, Osborne NR, Bosma RL, Fauchon C, Ayoub LJ, Inman R, Oh J, Anastakis DJ, Davis KD. Resilience is associated with cortical gray matter of the antinociceptive pathway in people with chronic pain. Biol Psychol 2023; 183:108658. [PMID: 37567549 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Resilience is an important personal characteristic that influences health and recovery. Previous studies of chronic pain suggest that highly resilient people may be more effective at modulating their pain. Since brain gray matter in the antinociceptive pathway has also been shown to be abnormal in people with chronic pain, we examined whether resilience is related to gray matter in regions of interest (ROIs) of the antinociceptive pathway (rostral and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (rACC, sgACC), anterior insula (aINS), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC)) normally and in people who are experiencing chronic pain. We extracted gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness (CT) from 3T MRIs of 88 people with chronic pain (half males/females) and 86 healthy controls (HCs), who completed The Resilience Scale and Brief Pain Inventory. We found that resilience scores were significantly lower in people with chronic pain compared to HCs, whereas ROI GMV and CT were not different between groups. Resilience negatively correlated with average pain scores and positively correlated with GMV in the bilateral rACC, sgACC, and left dlPFC of people with chronic pain. Mediation analyses revealed that GMV in the right rACC and left sgACC partially co-mediated the relationship between resilience and average pain in people with chronic pain. The resilience-pain and some resilience-GMV relationships were sex-dependent. These findings suggest that the antinociceptive pathway may play a role in the impact of resilience on one's ability to modulate chronic pain. A better understanding of the brain-resilience relationship may help advance evidence-based approaches to pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda S Hector
- Division of Brain, Imaging, and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joshua C Cheng
- Division of Brain, Imaging, and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kasey S Hemington
- Division of Brain, Imaging, and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anton Rogachov
- Division of Brain, Imaging, and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Junseok A Kim
- Division of Brain, Imaging, and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Natalie R Osborne
- Division of Brain, Imaging, and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rachael L Bosma
- Division of Brain, Imaging, and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Camille Fauchon
- Division of Brain, Imaging, and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lizbeth J Ayoub
- Centre for Multimodal Sensorimotor and Pain Research, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Clinical and Computational Neuroscience, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Inman
- Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jiwon Oh
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dimitri J Anastakis
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Karen D Davis
- Division of Brain, Imaging, and Behaviour, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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21
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Wang XY, Jia WB, Xu X, Chen R, Wang LB, Su XJ, Xu PF, Liu XQ, Wen J, Song XY, Liu YY, Zhang Z, Liu XF, Zhang Y. A glutamatergic DRN-VTA pathway modulates neuropathic pain and comorbid anhedonia-like behavior in mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5124. [PMID: 37612268 PMCID: PMC10447530 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40860-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain causes both physical suffering and comorbid mental symptoms such as anhedonia. However, the neural circuits and molecular mechanisms underlying these maladaptive behaviors remain elusive. Here using a mouse model, we report a pathway from vesicular glutamate transporter 3 neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus to dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VGluT3DRN→DAVTA) wherein population-level activity in response to innocuous mechanical stimuli and sucrose consumption is inhibited by chronic neuropathic pain. Mechanistically, neuropathic pain dampens VGluT3DRN → DAVTA glutamatergic transmission and DAVTA neural excitability. VGluT3DRN → DAVTA activation alleviates neuropathic pain and comorbid anhedonia-like behavior (CAB) by releasing glutamate, which subsequently promotes DA release in the nucleus accumbens medial shell (NAcMed) and produces analgesic and anti-anhedonia effects via D2 and D1 receptors, respectively. In addition, VGluT3DRN → DAVTA inhibition produces pain-like reflexive hypersensitivity and anhedonia-like behavior in intact mice. These findings reveal a crucial role for VGluT3DRN → DAVTA → D2/D1NAcMed pathway in establishing and modulating chronic pain and CAB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yue Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Wen-Bin Jia
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Liang-Biao Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Su
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Peng-Fei Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230027, Hefei, China
| | - Jie Wen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao-Yuan Song
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Liu
- Somatosensation and Pain Unit, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
| | - Xin-Feng Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, 230001, Hefei, China.
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22
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Shen CL, Newman JW, Elmassry MM, Borkowski K, Chyu MC, Kahathuduwa C, Neugebauer V, Watkins BA. Tai Chi exercise reduces circulating levels of inflammatory oxylipins in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: results from a pilot study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1210170. [PMID: 37654656 PMCID: PMC10466388 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1210170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tai Chi (TC) controls pain through mind-body exercise and appears to alter inflammatory mediators. TC actions on lipid biomarkers associated with inflammation and brain neural networks in women with knee osteoarthritic pain were investigated. Methods A single-center, pre- and post-TC group (baseline and 8 wk) exercise pilot study in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritic pain was performed. 12 eligible women participated in TC group exercise. The primary outcome was liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry determination of circulating endocannabinoids (eCB) and oxylipins (OxL). Secondary outcomes were correlations between eCB and OxL levels and clinical pain/limitation assessments, and brain resting-state function magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Results Differences in circulating quantitative levels (nM) of pro-inflammatory OxL after TC were found in women. TC exercise resulted in lower OxL PGE1 and PGE2 and higher 12-HETE, LTB4, and 12-HEPE compared to baseline. Pain assessment and eCB and OxL levels suggest crucial relationships between TC exercise, inflammatory markers, and pain. Higher plasma levels of eCB AEA, and 1, 2-AG were found in subjects with increased pain. Several eCB and OxL levels were positively correlated with left and right brain amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex functional connectivity. Conclusion TC exercise lowers pro-inflammatory OxL in women with knee osteoarthritic pain. Correlations between subject pain, functional limitations, and brain connectivity with levels of OxL and eCB showed significance. Findings indicate potential mechanisms for OxL and eCB and their biosynthetic endogenous PUFA precursors that alter brain connectivity, neuroinflammation, and pain. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04046003.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chwan-Li Shen
- Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Center of Excellence for Integrative Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - John W. Newman
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Moamen M. Elmassry
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Kamil Borkowski
- West Coast Metabolomics Center, Genome Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Ming-Chien Chyu
- Center of Excellence for Integrative Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Department of Medical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Chanaka Kahathuduwa
- Center of Excellence for Integrative Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Volker Neugebauer
- Center of Excellence for Integrative Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
- Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Bruce A. Watkins
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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23
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Liu X, He J, Jiang W, Wen S, Xiao Z. The Roles of Periaqueductal Gray and Dorsal Raphe Nucleus Dopaminergic Systems in the Mechanisms of Thermal Hypersensitivity and Depression in Mice. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1213-1228. [PMID: 36796500 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Depression and thermal hypersensitivity share pathogenic features and symptomology, but their pathophysiologic interactions have not been fully elucidated. Dopaminergic systems in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) and dorsal raphe nucleus have been implicated in these conditions due to their antinociception and antidepression effects, although their specific roles and underlying mechanisms remain obscure. In this study, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CMS) was used to induce depression-like behaviors and thermal hypersensitivity in C57BL/6J (wild-type) or dopamine transporter promoter mice to establish a mouse model of pain and depression comorbidity. Microinjections of quinpirole, a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, up-regulated D2 receptor expression in dorsal raphe nucleus and reduced depressive behaviors and thermal hypersensitivity with CMS, while dorsal raphe nucleus injections of JNJ-37822681, an antagonist of D2 receptors, had the reciprocal effect on dopamine D2 receptor expression and behaviors. Moreover, using a chemical genetics approach to activate or inhibit dopaminergic neurons in vlPAG ameliorated or exacerbated depression-like behaviors and thermal hypersensitivity, respectively, in dopamine transporter promoter-Cre CMS mice. Collectively these results demonstrated the specific role of vlPAG and dorsal raphe nucleus dopaminergic systems in the regulation of pain and depression comorbidity in mice. PERSPECTIVE: The current study provides insights into the complex mechanisms underlying thermal hypersensitivity induced by depression, and the findings suggest that pharmacological and chemogenetic modulation of dopaminergic systems in the vlPAG and dorsal raphe nucleus may be a promising therapeutic strategy to simultaneously mitigate pain and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingfeng Liu
- Guizhou Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China; Guizhou Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jingxin He
- Graduate School, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Graduate School, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Song Wen
- Department of Pain Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhi Xiao
- Guizhou Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China; Guizhou Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China.
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24
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Kong Q, Sacca V, Zhu M, Ursitti AK, Kong J. Anatomical and Functional Connectivity of Critical Deep Brain Structures and Their Potential Clinical Application in Brain Stimulation. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4426. [PMID: 37445460 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Subcortical structures, such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens (NAcc), play crucial roles in human cognitive, memory, and emotional processing, chronic pain pathophysiology, and are implicated in various psychiatric and neurological diseases. Interventions modulating the activities of these deep brain structures hold promise for improving clinical outcomes. Recently, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been applied to modulate brain activity and has demonstrated its potential for treating psychiatric and neurological disorders. However, modulating the above deep brain structures using NIBS may be challenging due to the nature of these stimulations. This study attempts to identify brain surface regions as source targets for NIBS to reach these deep brain structures by integrating functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). We used resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) and probabilistic tractography (PTG) analysis to identify brain surface stimulation targets that are functionally and structurally connected to the hippocampus, amygdala, and NAcc in 119 healthy participants. Our results showed that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is functionally and anatomically connected to all three subcortical regions, while the precuneus is connected to the hippocampus and amygdala. The mPFC and precuneus, two key hubs of the default mode network (DMN), as well as other cortical areas distributed at the prefrontal cortex and the parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, were identified as potential locations for NIBS to modulate the function of these deep structures. The findings may provide new insights into the NIBS target selections for treating psychiatric and neurological disorders and chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Building 120, 2nd Ave., Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Valeria Sacca
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Building 120, 2nd Ave., Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Meixuan Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Building 120, 2nd Ave., Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Amy Katherine Ursitti
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Building 120, 2nd Ave., Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Building 120, 2nd Ave., Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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25
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Brice-Tutt AC, Montgomery DS, Kramer CM, Novotny PM, Malphurs WL, Sharma A, Caudle RM, Bruijnzeel AW, Setlow B, Neubert JK, Murphy NP. An ethogram analysis of cutaneous thermal pain sensitivity and oxycodone reward-related behaviors in rats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10482. [PMID: 37380739 PMCID: PMC10307779 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36729-6] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Inter-relationships between pain sensitivity, drug reward, and drug misuse are of considerable interest given that many analgesics exhibit misuse potential. Here we studied rats as they underwent a series of pain- and reward-related tests: cutaneous thermal reflex pain, induction and extinction of conditioned place preference to oxycodone (0.56 mg/kg), and finally the impact of neuropathic pain on reflex pain and reinstatement of conditioned place preference. Oxycodone induced a significant conditioned place preference that extinguished throughout repeated testing. Correlations identified of particular interest included an association between reflex pain and oxycodone-induced behavioral sensitization, and between rates of behavioral sensitization and extinction of conditioned place preference. Multidimensional scaling analysis followed by k-clustering identified three clusters: (1) reflex pain, rate of behavioral sensitization and rate of extinction of conditioned place preference (2) basal locomotion, locomotor habituation, acute oxycodone-stimulated locomotion and rate of change in reflex pain during repeated testing, and (3) magnitude of conditioned place preference. Nerve constriction injury markedly enhanced reflex pain but did not reinstate conditioned place preference. These results suggest that high rates of behavioral sensitization predicts faster rates of extinction of oxycodone seeking/reward, and suggest that cutaneous thermal reflex pain may be predictive of both.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Cassidy M Kramer
- Departments of Orthodontics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Peter M Novotny
- Departments of Orthodontics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Wendi L Malphurs
- Departments of Orthodontics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Abhisheak Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Robert M Caudle
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Adriaan W Bruijnzeel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Barry Setlow
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Addiction Research and Education, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - John K Neubert
- Departments of Orthodontics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Niall P Murphy
- Departments of Orthodontics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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26
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Teixeira-Santos L, Martins S, Sousa T, Albino-Teixeira A, Pinho D. The pro-resolving lipid mediator Maresin 1 ameliorates pain responses and neuroinflammation in the spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain: A study in male and female mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287392. [PMID: 37347750 PMCID: PMC10286986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287392] [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: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) have recently emerged as promising therapeutic approaches for neuropathic pain (NP). We evaluated the effects of oral treatment with the SPM Maresin 1 (MaR1) on behavioral pain responses and spinal neuroinflammation in male and female C57BL/6J mice with spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced NP. MaR1, or vehicle, was administered once daily, on post-surgical days 3 to 5, by voluntary oral intake. Sensory-discriminative and affective-motivational components of pain were evaluated with von Frey and place escape/avoidance paradigm (PEAP) tests, respectively. Spinal microglial and astrocytic activation were assessed by immunofluorescence, and the spinal concentration of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were evaluated by multiplex immunoassay. MaR1 treatment reduced SNI-induced mechanical hypersensitivity on days 7 and 11 in both male and female mice, and appeared to ameliorate the affective component of pain in males on day 11. No definitive conclusions could be drawn about the impact of MaR1 on the affective-motivational aspects of pain in female mice, since repeated suprathreshold mechanical stimulation of the affected paw in the dark compartment did not increase the preference of vehicle-treated SNI females for the light side, during the PEAP test session (a fundamental assumption for PAEP's validity). MaR1 treatment also reduced ipsilateral spinal microglial and astrocytic activation in both sexes and marginally increased M-CSF in males, while not affecting cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in either sex. In summary, our study has shown that oral treatment with MaR1 (i) produces antinociception even in an already installed peripheral NP mouse model, and (ii) this antinociception may extend for several days beyond the treatment time-frame. These therapeutic effects are associated with attenuated microglial and astrocytic activation in both sexes, and possibly involve modulation of M-CSF action in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luísa Teixeira-Santos
- Departamento de Biomedicina–Unidade de Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Farmacológica e Inovação Medicamentosa (MedInUP), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Martins
- Serviço de Patologia Clínica, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário São João (CHUSJ), Porto, Portugal
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Teresa Sousa
- Departamento de Biomedicina–Unidade de Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Farmacológica e Inovação Medicamentosa (MedInUP), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - António Albino-Teixeira
- Departamento de Biomedicina–Unidade de Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Farmacológica e Inovação Medicamentosa (MedInUP), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Dora Pinho
- Departamento de Biomedicina–Unidade de Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação Farmacológica e Inovação Medicamentosa (MedInUP), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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27
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Neugebauer V, Presto P, Yakhnitsa V, Antenucci N, Mendoza B, Ji G. Pain-related cortico-limbic plasticity and opioid signaling. Neuropharmacology 2023; 231:109510. [PMID: 36944393 PMCID: PMC10585936 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Neuroplasticity in cortico-limbic circuits has been implicated in pain persistence and pain modulation in clinical and preclinical studies. The amygdala has emerged as a key player in the emotional-affective dimension of pain and pain modulation. Reciprocal interactions with medial prefrontal cortical regions undergo changes in pain conditions. Other limbic and paralimbic regions have been implicated in pain modulation as well. The cortico-limbic system is rich in opioids and opioid receptors. Preclinical evidence for their pain modulatory effects in different regions of this highly interactive system, potentially opposing functions of different opioid receptors, and knowledge gaps will be described here. There is little information about cell type- and circuit-specific functions of opioid receptor subtypes related to pain processing and pain-related plasticity in the cortico-limbic system. The important role of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and amygdala in MOR-dependent analgesia is most well-established, and MOR actions in the mesolimbic system appear to be similar but remain to be determined in mPFC regions other than ACC. Evidence also suggests that KOR signaling generally serves opposing functions whereas DOR signaling in the ACC has similar, if not synergistic effects, to MOR. A unifying picture of pain-related neuronal mechanisms of opioid signaling in different elements of the cortico-limbic circuitry has yet to emerge. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Opioid-induced changes in addiction and pain circuits".
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Neugebauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.
| | - Peyton Presto
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Vadim Yakhnitsa
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Nico Antenucci
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Brianna Mendoza
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Guangchen Ji
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Center of Excellence for Translational Neuroscience and Therapeutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
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Zamorano AM, Kleber B, Arguissain F, Boudreau S, Vuust P, Flor H, Graven-Nielsen T. Extensive Sensorimotor Training Predetermines Central Pain Changes During the Development of Prolonged Muscle Pain. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1039-1055. [PMID: 36720295 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Repetitive movements (RM) are a main risk factor for musculoskeletal pain, which is partly explained by the overloading of musculoskeletal structures. However, RM may also drive brain plasticity, leading to maladaptive changes in sensorimotor areas and altered pain processing. This study aimed to understand whether individuals performing extensive RM (musicians) exhibit altered brain processing to prolonged experimental muscle pain. Nineteen healthy musicians and 20 healthy nontrained controls attended 3 sessions (Day 1-Day 3-Day 8). In each session, event-related potentials (ERPs) to non-nociceptive superficial and nociceptive intraepidermal electrical stimulation, reaction times, electrical detection thresholds, and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were recorded. In all participants, prolonged muscle pain was induced by intramuscular injection of nerve growth factor (NGF) into the right first dorsal interosseous muscle at the end of Day1. Pain intensity was assessed on a numerical rating scale (NRS) and was lower in musicians compared to non-musicians (P < .007). Moreover, in musicians, the higher amount of weekly training was associated with lower NRS pain scores on Day 3 to Day 8 (P < .037). Compared with Day1, NGF reduced PPTs on Day 3 to Day 8 (P < .001) and non-nociceptive P200 and P300 ERP amplitudes on Day 8 (P < .044) in both groups. Musicians compared to controls showed secondary hyperalgesia to electrical stimulation on Day 3 to Day 8 (P < .004) and reduced nociceptive P200 ERP amplitudes on Day 8 (P < .005). Across participants, ERP components correlated with pain detection reaction times, sensitivity (PPTs and electrical detection thresholds), and severity (NRS), (all P < .043). These results show that repetitive sensorimotor training leads to brain changes in the processing of prolonged pain, biasing the cortical response to nociceptive inputs. PERSPECTIVE: Repetitive sensorimotor training may increase the responsiveness of nociceptive inputs during the development of prolonged muscle pain. These novel data highlight the role of repetitive sensorimotor practice as a source for interindividual variability in central pain processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Zamorano
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Boris Kleber
- Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Federico Arguissain
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Shellie Boudreau
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Peter Vuust
- Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Herta Flor
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thomas Graven-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Seymour B, Crook RJ, Chen ZS. Post-injury pain and behaviour: a control theory perspective. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:378-392. [PMID: 37165018 PMCID: PMC10465160 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00699-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Injuries of various types occur commonly in the lives of humans and other animals and lead to a pattern of persistent pain and recuperative behaviour that allows safe and effective recovery. In this Perspective, we propose a control-theoretic framework to explain the adaptive processes in the brain that drive physiological post-injury behaviour. We set out an evolutionary and ethological view on how animals respond to injury, illustrating how the behavioural state associated with persistent pain and recuperation may be just as important as phasic pain in ensuring survival. Adopting a normative approach, we suggest that the brain implements a continuous optimal inference of the current state of injury from diverse sensory and physiological signals. This drives the various effector control mechanisms of behavioural homeostasis, which span the modulation of ongoing motivation and perception to drive rest and hyper-protective behaviours. However, an inherent problem with this is that these protective behaviours may partially obscure information about whether injury has resolved. Such information restriction may seed a tendency to aberrantly or persistently infer injury, and may thus promote the transition to pathological chronic pain states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Seymour
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK.
| | - Robyn J Crook
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Zhe Sage Chen
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
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Wang J, Yin C, Pan Y, Yang Y, Li W, Ni H, Liu B, Nie H, Xu R, Wei H, Zhang Y, Li Y, Hu Q, Tai Y, Shao X, Fang J, Liu B. CXCL13 contributes to chronic pain of a mouse model of CRPS-I via CXCR5-mediated NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in spinal cord dorsal horn. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:109. [PMID: 37158939 PMCID: PMC10165831 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02778-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Complex regional pain syndrome type-I (CRPS-I) causes excruciating pain that affect patients' life quality. However, the mechanisms underlying CRPS-I are incompletely understood, which hampers the development of target specific therapeutics. METHODS The mouse chronic post-ischemic pain (CPIP) model was established to mimic CRPS-I. qPCR, Western blot, immunostaining, behavioral assay and pharmacological methods were used to study mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation and chronic pain in spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH) of CPIP mice. RESULTS CPIP mice developed robust and long-lasting mechanical allodynia in bilateral hindpaws. The expression of inflammatory chemokine CXCL13 and its receptor CXCR5 was significantly upregulated in ipsilateral SCDH of CPIP mice. Immunostaining revealed CXCL13 and CXCR5 was predominantly expressed in spinal neurons. Neutralization of spinal CXCL13 or genetic deletion of Cxcr5 (Cxcr5-/-) significantly reduced mechanical allodynia, as well as spinal glial cell overactivation and c-Fos activation in SCDH of CPIP mice. Mechanical pain causes affective disorder in CPIP mice, which was attenuated in Cxcr5-/- mice. Phosphorylated STAT3 co-expressed with CXCL13 in SCDH neurons and contributed to CXCL13 upregulation and mechanical allodynia in CPIP mice. CXCR5 coupled with NF-κB signaling in SCDH neurons to trigger pro-inflammatory cytokine gene Il6 upregulation, contributing to mechanical allodynia. Intrathecal CXCL13 injection produced mechanical allodynia via CXCR5-dependent NF-κB activation. Specific overexpression of CXCL13 in SCDH neurons is sufficient to induce persistent mechanical allodynia in naïve mice. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrated a previously unidentified role of CXCL13/CXCR5 signaling in mediating spinal neuroinflammation and mechanical pain in an animal model of CRPS-I. Our work suggests that targeting CXCL13/CXCR5 pathway may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for CRPS-I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
- Department of Rehabilitation in Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengyu Yin
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yushuang Pan
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yunqin Yang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Wei Li
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Research and Brain-Machine Integration, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huadong Ni
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, China
| | - Boyu Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Huimin Nie
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Ruoyao Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Huina Wei
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yunwen Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Qimiao Hu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yan Tai
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Shao
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jianqiao Fang
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Boyi Liu
- Department of Neurobiology and Acupuncture Research, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
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Park SH, Michael AM, Baker AK, Lei C, Martucci KT. Altered Functional Networks during Gain Anticipation in Fibromyalgia. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.28.23289290. [PMID: 37163010 PMCID: PMC10168512 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.28.23289290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Reward motivation is essential in shaping human behavior and cognition. Previous studies have shown altered reward motivation and reward brain circuitry in chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, cognitive problems, and mood-related symptoms. In this study, we analyzed brain reward networks in patients with fibromyalgia by using a data-driven approach with task-based fMRI data. fMRI data from 24 patients with fibromyalgia and 24 healthy controls were acquired while subjects performed a monetary incentive delay (MID) reward task. Functional networks were derived using independent component analysis (ICA) focused on the gain anticipation phase of the reward task. Functional activity in the motor, value-driven attention, and basal ganglia networks was evaluated during gain anticipation in both patient and healthy control groups. Compared to controls, the motor network was more engaged during gain anticipation in patients with fibromyalgia. Our findings suggest that reward motivation may lead to hyperactivity in the motor network, possibly related to altered motor processing, such as restricted movement or dysregulated motor planning in fibromyalgia. As an exploratory analysis, we compared levels of motor network engagement during early and late timepoints of the gain anticipation phase. Both groups showed greater motor network engagement during the late timepoint (i.e., closer to response), which reflected motor preparation prior to target response. Importantly, compared to controls and consistent with the initial findings described above, patients exhibited greater engagement of the motor network during both early and late timepoints. In summary, by using a novel data-driven ICA approach to analyze task-based fMRI data, we identified elevated motor network engagement during gain anticipation in fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Hyoun Park
- Department of Anesthesiology, Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Anne K. Baker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Carina Lei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Katherine T. Martucci
- Department of Anesthesiology, Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Li X, Zhou X, Zheng H, Wang C. The modulation of pain in reward processing is reflected by increased P300 and delta oscillation. Brain Cogn 2023; 168:105972. [PMID: 37079997 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2023.105972] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Pain elicits the desire for a reward to alleviate the unpleasant sensation. This may be a consequence of facilitated neural activities in the reward circuit. However, the temporal modulation of pain on reward processing remains unclear. We addressed this issue by recording electroencephalogram when participants received win or loss feedback in a simple gambling task. Pain treatment was conducted on 33 participants with topical capsaicin cream and on 33 participants with hand cream as a control. Results showed that pain generally increased the P300 amplitude for both types of feedback but did not affect feedback-related negativity (FRN). A significant interaction effect of treatment (painful, non-painful) and outcome (win, loss) was observed on delta oscillation as pain only enhanced the power of win feedback. In addition, the FRN and theta oscillation responded more to loss feedback, but this effect was unaffected by pain. These findings indicate that pain may enhance secondary value representation and evaluation processes of rewards, but does not influence primary distinction of reward or reward expectation. The temporal unfolding of how pain affects reward-related neural activities highlights the prominent impact of pain on high-level cognitive processes associated with reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyao Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Brain and Education Innovation, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianzhen Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Hong Zheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chenbo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Brain and Education Innovation, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
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Letkiewicz AM, Kottler HC, Shankman SA, Cochran AL. Quantifying aberrant approach-avoidance conflict in psychopathology: A review of computational approaches. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 147:105103. [PMID: 36804398 PMCID: PMC10023482 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105103] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Making effective decisions during approach-avoidance conflict is critical in daily life. Aberrant decision-making during approach-avoidance conflict is evident in a range of psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, trauma-related disorders, substance use disorders, and alcohol use disorders. To help clarify etiological pathways and reveal novel intervention targets, clinical research into decision-making is increasingly adopting a computational psychopathology approach. This approach uses mathematical models that can identify specific decision-making related processes that are altered in mental health disorders. In our review, we highlight foundational approach-avoidance conflict research, followed by more in-depth discussion of computational approaches that have been used to model behavior in these tasks. Specifically, we describe the computational models that have been applied to approach-avoidance conflict (e.g., drift-diffusion, active inference, and reinforcement learning models), and provide resources to guide clinical researchers who may be interested in applying computational modeling. Finally, we identify notable gaps in the current literature and potential future directions for computational approaches aimed at identifying mechanisms of approach-avoidance conflict in psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Letkiewicz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Haley C Kottler
- Department of Mathematics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Stewart A Shankman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Amy L Cochran
- Department of Mathematics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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Zain E, Sugimoto A, Egawa J, Someya T. Case report: Methylphenidate improved chronic pain in an adult patient with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1091399. [PMID: 36970292 PMCID: PMC10038200 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1091399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionChronic pain remains a health problem that is difficult to treat adequately. Its unknown cause and complex comorbidity with other illnesses, including mental disorders, amplify the severity of symptoms, which consequently decreases the quality of life of patients long term. In our clinical practice, we coincidentally found evidence that methylphenidate (MPH) effectively managed chronic pain in an adult patient with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The effectiveness of MPH in the treatment of ADHD is well-established; however, its utility in treating pain remains unclear.Case presentationWe present a rare case of a 43-year-old male patient with 15 years of chronic idiopathic pain symptoms that did not adequately respond to standard pain management, such as acetaminophen, non-opioid analgesics, and muscle relaxers. Pain also persisted after treatments with antidepressants and an epidural block. Furthermore, symptoms worsened following several sessions of modified electroconvulsive therapy. After a thorough assessment at our child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinic, we confirmed a diagnosis of adult ADHD with a predominantly inattentive type. Considering this newly established diagnosis, we prescribed osmotic-release oral system (OROS) methylphenidate. Within 1 month of treatment at a dose of 18 mg/day of OROS-MPH, the patient’s chronic pain unexpectedly improved dramatically, and the patient no longer experienced pain symptoms. The dosage of OROS-MPH was titrated monthly, reaching 72 mg/day as a maintenance dose, and ADHD symptoms improved after 4 months of treatment. The patient was followed up regularly for 7 years during his OROS-MPH treatment. No adverse effects were reported, including stimulant addiction. He was stable overall and functioned well in his daily activities. His pain never recurred.ConclusionThis case report suggests that MPH may be potentially effective in treating chronic pain. Further studies are needed to confirm whether MPH improved chronic pain simultaneously with or separately from the improvement in ADHD. Moreover, elucidating the anatomical sites and molecular pharmacological mechanisms related to the action of MPH in pain modulation and perception is essential. Such sites include the descending dopaminergic pain pathway and higher cortical areas. Furthering our understanding may reinforce the justification for treating chronic pain using MPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekachaeryanti Zain
- Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, Indonesia
| | - Atsunori Sugimoto
- Department of Community Psychiatric Medicine, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Niigata Psychiatric Center, Nagaoka, Japan
- *Correspondence: Atsunori Sugimoto,
| | - Jun Egawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Someya
- Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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Wang Y, Li L, Cai J, Li H, Wang C. Incidental physical pain reduces brain activities associated with affective social feedback and increases aggression. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2023; 18:6650606. [PMID: 35894605 PMCID: PMC9949500 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsac048] [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: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical pain may lead to aggressive behavior in a social context. However, it is unclear whether this is related to changes of social information processing. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying pain-induced aggression using functional magnetic resonance imaging. In the experiment, 59 healthy participants were recruited: 31 were treated with topical capsaicin cream (pain group) and 28 with hand cream (control group). Participants completed a social network aggression task, during which they underwent two phases: feedback processing and attack exerting. The results revealed that participants in the pain group exhibited more aggression than those in the control group. During the feedback-processing phase, physical pain reduced brain activation in the right insula, left orbitofrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex, which typically exhibited stronger activation in response to negative (and positive) vs neutral social feedback in the control group. However, during the attack-exerting phase, pain did not significantly alter the activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These findings suggest that pain increased aggression, while before that, it suppressed brain activities of the salience network involved in the process of salient social information and the value system associated with the value representation of social events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.,Institute of Brain and Education Innovation, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Lu Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Junhao Cai
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Huaifang Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Chenbo Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.,Institute of Brain and Education Innovation, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.,Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center, Shanghai 200335, China
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Henry DB, Pemberton AL, Rogers RR, Ballmann CG. A Matter of Taste: Roles of Taste Preference on Performance and Psychological Responses during Anaerobic Exercise. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3730. [PMID: 36834425 PMCID: PMC9964433 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Various tastes including sweet, bitter, and sour have been shown to differentially influence physiological and psychological processes. Furthermore, ingestion of bitter and sweet solutions has been shown to acutely enhance exercise performance. However, the taste is highly individualized, and it is unclear if preference influences the ergogenic potential of taste. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of preferred and non-preferred drink tastes on anaerobic performance and psychological responses thereof. Physically active females participated in two counterbalanced sprint trials each with a different condition: (1) non-preferred taste (NPT), (2) Preferred taste (PT). Participants self-reported taste preferences (sweet, sour, bitter) with the highest-ranked taste being used for the PT condition and the lowest-ranked for NPT. For each visit, participants completed a 15 s Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) prior to (PRE) ingestion of ~20 mL of their NP or PREF taste. Following ingestion, participants completed 2 min of active recovery, rated their taste preference of the solution, and completed another 15 s WAnT. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE), motivation, and enjoyment were measured through a visual analog scale following each WAnT. Anaerobic performance measures and heart rate (HR) were also obtained at the succession of each WAnT. Findings revealed no differences between taste conditions for mean power (p = 0.455), peak power (p = 0.824), or HR (p = 0.847). RPE was significantly lower with PT versus NPT (p = 0.006). Exercise enjoyment (p = 0.022) was higher with PT compared to NPT. NPT resulted in worse motivation compared to PRE (p = 0.001) while no changes were observed between PT and PRE (p = 0.197). These findings suggest that preferred drink taste may not enhance acute performance but improves psychological responses to maximal anaerobic exercise which may have implications for improving exercise training and adherence.
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Brusco I, Fialho MFP, Becker G, Brum ES, Favarin A, Marquezin LP, Serafini PT, Oliveira SM. Kinins and their B 1 and B 2 receptors as potential therapeutic targets for pain relief. Life Sci 2023; 314:121302. [PMID: 36535404 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Kinins are endogenous peptides that belong to the kallikrein-kinin system, which has been extensively studied for over a century. Their essential role in multiple physiological and pathological processes is demonstrated by activating two transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors, the kinin B1 and B2 receptors. The attention is mainly given to the pathological role of kinins in pain transduction mechanisms. In the past years, a wide range of preclinical studies has amounted to the literature reinforcing the need for an updated review about the participation of kinins and their receptors in pain disorders. Here, we performed an extensive literature search since 2004, describing the historical progress and the current understanding of the kinin receptors' participation and its potential therapeutic in several acute and chronic painful conditions. These include inflammatory (mainly arthritis), neuropathic (caused by different aetiologies, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, antineoplastic toxicity and diabetes) and nociplastic (mainly fibromyalgia) pain. Moreover, we highlighted the pharmacological actions and possible clinical applications of the kinin B1 and B2 receptor antagonists, kallikrein inhibitors or kallikrein-kinin system signalling pathways-target molecules in these different painful conditions. Notably, recent findings sought to elucidate mechanisms for guiding new and better drug design targeting kinin B1 and B2 receptors to treat a disease diversity. Since the kinin B2 receptor antagonist, Icatibant, is clinically used and well-tolerated by patients with hereditary angioedema gives us hope kinin receptors antagonists could be more robustly tested for a possible clinical application in the treatment of pathological pains, which present limited pharmacology management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indiara Brusco
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry Toxicology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Fernanda Pessano Fialho
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry Toxicology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Becker
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry Toxicology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Evelyne Silva Brum
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry Toxicology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Amanda Favarin
- Laboratory of Neurotoxicity and Psychopharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Lara Panazzolo Marquezin
- Laboratory of Neurotoxicity and Psychopharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Patrick Tuzi Serafini
- Laboratory of Neurotoxicity and Psychopharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Sara Marchesan Oliveira
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry Toxicology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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Yang J, Ding H, Shuai B, Zhang Y, Zhang Y. Mechanism and effects of STING-IFN-I pathway on nociception: A narrative review. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1081288. [PMID: 36683857 PMCID: PMC9846240 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1081288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of STING in 2008, numerous studies have investigated its functions in immunity, inflammation, and cancer. STING activates downstream molecules including IFN-I, NLRP3, and NF-κB. The STING-IFN-I pathway plays a vital role in nociception. After receiving the upstream signal, STING is activated and induces the expression of IFN-I, and after paracrine and autocrine signaling, IFN-I binds to IFN receptors. Subsequently, the activity of ion channels is inhibited by TYK2, which induces an acute antinociceptive effect. JAK activates PIK3 and MAPK-MNK-eIF4E pathways, which sensitize nociceptors in the peripheral nervous system. In the mid-late stage, the STING-IFN-I pathway activates STAT, increases pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, inhibits ER-phagy, and promotes microglial M1-polarization in the central nervous system, leading to central sensitization. Thus, the STING-IFN-I pathway may exert complex effects on nociception at various stages, and these effects require further comprehensive elucidation. Therefore, in this review, we systematically summarized the mechanisms of the STING-IFN-I pathway and discussed its function in nociception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghan Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Shuai
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pain, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Yan Zhang,
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Thomas S, Wang Y, Cundiff-O’Sullivan R, Massalee R, Colloca L. How negative and positive constructs and comorbid conditions contribute to disability in chronic orofacial pain. Eur J Pain 2023; 27:99-110. [PMID: 36203350 PMCID: PMC9799734 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2042] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) symptoms develop into chronic pain for some patients, but the reasons for this are unclear. Psychosocial factors and chronic overlapping pain conditions are believed to contribute to the development of pain-related disability. We examined the role of jaw function, negative and positive psychological factors and chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) on pain-related disability whilst controlling for demographic variables. METHODS We collected demographics, medical and psychosocial history and the Graded Chronic Pain Scale, a measure of pain intensity and pain interference from 400 participants with chronic TMD. Structural equation modelling was used to assess a model of COPCs and the latent variables of psychological unease (pain catastrophizing, somatic symptoms and negative affect), positive valence factors (optimism and positive affect), jaw function (chewing, opening and expression limitation) and pain-related disability (pain intensity and pain interference) whilst controlling for demographic variables. RESULTS We achieved good fit of a parsimonious model (root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.063 [90% CI] [0.051-0.075]), comparative fit index = 0.942, standard root-mean-square residual = 0.067. Jaw function was the strongest latent variable predictor, followed by psychological unease and COPCs suggesting resources focused on improving joint function, psychosocial support and management of COPCs will improve pain-related disability in TMDs. CONCLUSIONS These findings not only increase the body of knowledge related to TMD clinical phenotypes but also, have a translational impact in further supporting the potential value of targeting physical therapy such as jaw exercise along with psychological interventions as multidisciplinary nonpharmacological therapeutic solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Thomas
- Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Placebo Beyond Opinions (PBO) Center, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Rachel Cundiff-O’Sullivan
- Placebo Beyond Opinions (PBO) Center, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Graduate Program in Life Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, US
| | - Rachel Massalee
- Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Placebo Beyond Opinions (PBO) Center, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Luana Colloca
- Pain and Translational Symptom Science, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Departments of Anaesthesiology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
- Placebo Beyond Opinions (PBO) Center, School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
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Chen ZS. Hierarchical predictive coding in distributed pain circuits. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1073537. [PMID: 36937818 PMCID: PMC10020379 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1073537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Predictive coding is a computational theory on describing how the brain perceives and acts, which has been widely adopted in sensory processing and motor control. Nociceptive and pain processing involves a large and distributed network of circuits. However, it is still unknown whether this distributed network is completely decentralized or requires networkwide coordination. Multiple lines of evidence from human and animal studies have suggested that the cingulate cortex and insula cortex (cingulate-insula network) are two major hubs in mediating information from sensory afferents and spinothalamic inputs, whereas subregions of cingulate and insula cortices have distinct projections and functional roles. In this mini-review, we propose an updated hierarchical predictive coding framework for pain perception and discuss its related computational, algorithmic, and implementation issues. We suggest active inference as a generalized predictive coding algorithm, and hierarchically organized traveling waves of independent neural oscillations as a plausible brain mechanism to integrate bottom-up and top-down information across distributed pain circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sage Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, United States
- Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Zhe Sage Chen
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Huang M, Wang G, Lin Y, Guo Y, Ren X, Shao J, Cao J, Zang W, Li Z. Dopamine receptor D2, but not D1, mediates the reward circuit from the ventral tegmental area to the central amygdala, which is involved in pain relief. Mol Pain 2022; 18:17448069221145096. [PMID: 36464669 PMCID: PMC9742700 DOI: 10.1177/17448069221145096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain involves both sensory and affective dimensions. The amygdala is a key player in linking nociceptive stimuli to negative emotional behaviors or affective states. Relief of pain is rewarding and activates brain reward circuits. Whether the reward circuit from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the central amygdala (CeA) is involved in pain relief remains unexplored. Using a model of experimental postsurgical pain, we found that pain relief elicited conditioned place preference (CPP), activated CeA-projecting dopaminergic cells in the VTA, and decreased dopaminergic D2 receptor expression in the CeA. Activation of the VTA-CeA neural pathway using optogenetic approaches relieved incisional pain. Administration of a D2 receptor agonist reversed the pain relief elicited by light-induced activation of the VTA-CeA pathway. These findings indicate that the VTA-CeA circuit is involved in pain relief in mice via dopamine receptor D2 in the CeA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjie Huang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China,Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Guoqing Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China,Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yazhou Lin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yanyan Guo
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Xiuhua Ren
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jinping Shao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Weidong Zang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Zhihua Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China,Zhihua Li, Department of Human Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences College, Zhengzhou University, 1 Science Road, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan Province, China.
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Abstract
Pain is driven by sensation and emotion, and in turn, it motivates decisions and actions. To fully appreciate the multidimensional nature of pain, we formulate the study of pain within a closed-loop framework of sensory-motor prediction. In this closed-loop cycle, prediction plays an important role, as the interaction between prediction and actual sensory experience shapes pain perception and subsequently, action. In this Perspective, we describe the roles of two prominent computational theories-Bayesian inference and reinforcement learning-in modeling adaptive pain behaviors. We show that prediction serves as a common theme between these two theories, and that each of these theories can explain unique aspects of the pain perception-action cycle. We discuss how these computational theories and models can improve our mechanistic understandings of pain-centered processes such as anticipation, attention, placebo hypoalgesia, and pain chronification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sage Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Interdisciplinary Pain Research Program, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA,Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care and Pain Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Corresponding author
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Park SH, Deng EZ, Baker AK, MacNiven KH, Knutson B, Martucci KT. Replication of neural responses to monetary incentives and exploration of reward-influenced network connectivity in fibromyalgia. NEUROIMAGE. REPORTS 2022; 2:100147. [PMID: 36618964 PMCID: PMC9815752 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynirp.2022.100147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging research has begun to implicate alterations of brain reward systems in chronic pain. Previously, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a monetary incentive delay (MID) task, Martucci et al. (2018) showed that neural responses to reward anticipation and outcome are altered in fibromyalgia. In the present study, we aimed to test the replicability of these altered neural responses to reward in a separate fibromyalgia cohort. In addition, the present study was conducted at a distinct U.S. location but involved a similar study design. For the present study, 20 patients with fibromyalgia and 20 healthy controls participated in MID task fMRI scan procedures and completed clinical/psychological questionnaires. fMRI analyses comparing patient and control groups revealed a consistent trend of main results which were largely similar to the prior reported results. Specifically, in the replication fibromyalgia cohort, medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) response was reduced during gain anticipation and was increased during no-loss (non-punishment) outcome compared to controls. Also consistent with previous findings, the nucleus accumbens response to gain anticipation did not differ in patients vs. controls. Further, results from similarly-designed behavioral, correlational, and exploratory analyses were complementary to previous findings. Finally, a novel network-based functional connectivity analysis of the MID task fMRI data across patients vs. controls implied enhanced connectivity within the default mode network in participants with fibromyalgia. Together, based on replicating prior univariate results and new network-based functional connectivity analyses of MID task fMRI data, we provide further evidence of altered brain reward responses, particularly in the MPFC response to reward outcomes, in patients with fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Hyoun Park
- Department of Anesthesiology, Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA,Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Eden Z. Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA,Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anne K. Baker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA,Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kelly H. MacNiven
- Department of Psychology, Symbiotic Project on Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Brian Knutson
- Department of Psychology, Symbiotic Project on Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katherine T. Martucci
- Department of Anesthesiology, Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience Laboratory, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA,Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA,Corresponding author. Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience Lab, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Box DUMC 3094, Durham, NC 27710 USA., (K.T. Martucci)
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Yu JM, Hu R, Mao Y, Tai Y, Qun S, Zhang Z, Chen D, Jin Y. Up-regulation of HCN2 channels in a thalamocortical circuit mediates allodynia in mice. Natl Sci Rev 2022; 10:nwac275. [PMID: 36846300 PMCID: PMC9945406 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac275] [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: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is a significant problem that afflicts individuals and society, and for which the current clinical treatment is inadequate. In addition, the neural circuit and molecular mechanisms subserving chronic pain remain largely uncharacterized. Herein we identified enhanced activity of a glutamatergic neuronal circuit that encompasses projections from the ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPLGlu) to the glutamatergic neurons of the hindlimb primary somatosensory cortex (S1HLGlu), driving allodynia in mouse models of chronic pain. Optogenetic inhibition of this VPLGlu→S1HLGlu circuit reversed allodynia, whereas the enhancement of its activity provoked hyperalgesia in control mice. In addition, we found that the expression and function of the HCN2 (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 2) were increased in VPLGlu neurons under conditions of chronic pain. Using in vivo calcium imaging, we demonstrated that downregulation of HCN2 channels in the VPLGlu neurons abrogated the rise in S1HLGlu neuronal activity while alleviating allodynia in mice with chronic pain. With these data, we propose that dysfunction in HCN2 channels in the VPLGlu→S1HLGlu thalamocortical circuit and their upregulation occupy essential roles in the development of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yingju Tai
- Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Sen Qun
- Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230036, China
| | | | | | - Yan Jin
- Corresponding author. E-mail:
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Multidimensional Pain Modulation by Acupuncture Analgesia: The Reward Effect of Acupuncture on Pain Relief. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:3759181. [PMID: 36408345 PMCID: PMC9671730 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3759181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Pain is an intrinsically unpleasant experience with features that protect an organism by promoting motivation and learning. Pain relief, a negative reinforcement of pain, is considered a reward and activates the brain's reward system. The reward circuit in the brain involves reward and pain. Acupuncture has a multidimensional and comprehensive regulating effect on chronic pain. However, the reward effect of acupuncture in relieving chronic pain and the mechanism of the brain reward circuit involved in acupuncture analgesia are not thoroughly studied. In this article, we have reviewed the definition of pain abnormalities and negative emotions in patients with chronic pain, the conceptual characteristics of analgesic reward, and the new progress in studying brain reward circuits and functions. Moreover, we have expounded on the critical clinical and scientific significance of studying the reward effect of acupuncture analgesia and related brain reward circuits, the pain mechanism obtained from human neuroimaging studies, and the survey results on the effects of acupuncture on reward/motivation circuits. Some viewpoints and suggestions on the reward effect of acupuncture analgesia and related reward circuits have been put forward to clarify the multidimensional characteristics and benign regulation of acupuncture analgesia. Studies on the reward effect of acupuncture in relieving chronic pain and the regulating effect of the brain reward loop on acupuncture analgesia help to deepen the clinical understanding of acupuncture analgesia, innovate the research concept of acupuncture analgesia, and provide help for further studies on the central mechanism of acupuncture in improving chronic pain in the future.
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Della Porta D, Vilz ML, Kuzminova A, Filbrich L, Mouraux A, Legrain V. No evidence for an effect of selective spatial attention on the development of secondary hyperalgesia: A replication study. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:997230. [PMID: 36405082 PMCID: PMC9670179 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.997230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Central sensitization refers to the increased responsiveness of nociceptive neurons in the central nervous system after repeated or sustained peripheral nociceptor activation. It is hypothesized to play a key role in the development of chronic pain. A hallmark of central sensitization is an increased sensitivity to noxious mechanical stimuli extending beyond the injured location, known as secondary hyperalgesia. For its ability to modulate the transmission and the processing of nociceptive inputs, attention could constitute a promising target to prevent central sensitization and the development of chronic pain. It was recently shown that the experimental induction of central sensitization at both forearms of healthy volunteers using bilateral high-frequency electrocutaneous stimulation (HFS), can be modulated by encouraging participants to selectively focus their attention to one arm, to the detriment of the other arm, resulting in a greater secondary hyperalgesia on the attended arm as compared to the unattended one. Given the potential value of the question being addressed, we conducted a preregistered replication study in a well-powered independent sample to assess the robustness of the effect, i.e., the modulatory role of spatial attention on the induction of central sensitization. This hypothesis was tested using a double-blind, within-subject design. Sixty-seven healthy volunteers performed a task that required focusing attention toward one forearm to discriminate innocuous vibrotactile stimuli while HFS was applied on both forearms simultaneously. Our results showed a significant increase in mechanical sensitivity directly and 20 min after HFS. However, in contrast to the previous study, we did not find a significant difference in the development of secondary hyperalgesia between the attended vs. unattended arms. Our results question whether spatial selective attention affects the development of secondary hyperalgesia. Alternatively, the non-replication could be because the bottom-up capture of attention caused by the HFS-mediated sensation was too strong in comparison to the top-down modulation exerted by the attentional task. In other words, the task was not engaging enough and the HFS pulses, including those on the unattended arm, were too salient to allow a selective focus on one arm and modulate nociceptive processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Della Porta
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Marie-Lynn Vilz
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Avgustina Kuzminova
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lieve Filbrich
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - André Mouraux
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Louvain Bionics, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Valéry Legrain
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Louvain Bionics, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Zhang Y, Hu Z, Hu M, Lu Z, Yu H, Yuan X. Effects of childhood trauma on nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescent patients with bipolar II depression. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2771. [PMID: 36168882 PMCID: PMC9660408 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was performed to explore the effect of childhood trauma on nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents with bipolar II (BD II) depression. METHODS Based on the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5 and structured interviews to assess the presence or absence of NSSI, 184 adolescent patients with BD II depression were divided into the NSSI (n = 112) and non-NSSI (n = 72) groups. The Adolescent Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Assessment Questionnaire (ANSAQ), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to assess the subjects. RESULT The CTQ-SF, HAMD, HAMA, and TAS-20 scores were significantly higher in the NSSI group than in the non-NSSI group (p < .01). Logistic regression analysis showed emotional abuse (p = .028, OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01-1.28) and age of onset (p = .009) as risk factors for NSSI. Adolescents with onset age 12-13 years (OR = 6.30, 95% CI = 1.72-23.10) and 14-15 years (OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.04-4.84) had a higher risk of self-injury relative to adolescents aged 16-18 years. CONCLUSION Childhood trauma and alexithymia were important influencing factors in adolescent patients with BD II depression. Emotional abuse and age of onset as risk factors for NSSI, and difficulties in emotion recognition were positively associated with the patients' NSSI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Zhang
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,School of Public Administration, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Zhizhong Hu
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,School of Public Administration, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Maorong Hu
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,School of Public Administration, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Zihang Lu
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China.,School of Public Administration, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Huijuan Yu
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
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Mitra S, Thomas SA, Martin JA, Williams J, Woodhouse K, Chandra R, Li JX, Lobo MK, Sim FJ, Dietz DM. EGR3 regulates opioid-related nociception and motivation in male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:3539-3550. [PMID: 36098762 PMCID: PMC10094589 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06226-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain can be a debilitating condition, leading to profound changes in nearly every aspect of life. However, the reliance on opioids such as oxycodone for pain management is thought to initiate dependence and addiction liability. The neurobiological intersection at which opioids relieve pain and possibly transition to addiction is poorly understood. Using RNA sequencing pathway analysis in rats with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced chronic inflammation, we found that the transcriptional signatures in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC; a brain region where pain and reward signals integrate) elicited by CFA in combination with oxycodone differed from those elicited by CFA or oxycodone alone. However, the expression of Egr3 was augmented in all animals receiving oxycodone. Furthermore, virus-mediated overexpression of EGR3 in the mPFC increased mechanical pain relief but not the affective aspect of pain in animals receiving oxycodone, whereas pharmacological inhibition of EGR3 via NFAT attenuated mechanical pain relief. Egr3 overexpression also increased the motivation to obtain oxycodone infusions in a progressive ratio test without altering the acquisition or maintenance of oxycodone self-administration. Taken together, these data suggest that EGR3 in the mPFC is at the intersection of nociceptive and addictive-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swarup Mitra
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, John C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, 1700, 3rd Avenue, Huntington, WV, 25755, USA.
| | - Shruthi A Thomas
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Jennifer A Martin
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Jamal Williams
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Kristen Woodhouse
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Ramesh Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jun Xu Li
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Fraser J Sim
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - David M Dietz
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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50
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Martins-Oliveira M, Akerman S, Holland PR, Tavares I, Goadsby PJ. Pharmacological modulation of ventral tegmental area neurons elicits changes in trigeminovascular sensory processing and is accompanied by glycemic changes: Implications for migraine. Cephalalgia 2022; 42:1359-1374. [PMID: 36259130 DOI: 10.1177/03331024221110111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imaging migraine premonitory studies show increased midbrain activation consistent with the ventral tegmental area, an area involved in pain modulation and hedonic feeding. We investigated ventral tegmental area pharmacological modulation effects on trigeminovascular processing and consequent glycemic levels, which could be involved in appetite changes in susceptible migraine patients. METHODS Serotonin and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptors immunohistochemistry was performed in ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus of male Sprague Dawley rats. In vivo trigeminocervical complex neuronal responses to dura mater nociceptive electrical stimulation, and facial mechanical stimulation of the ophthalmic dermatome were recorded. Changes in trigeminocervical complex responses following ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus microinjection of glutamate, bicuculline, naratriptan, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 and quinpirole were measured, and blood glucose levels assessed pre- and post-microinjection. RESULTS Glutamatergic stimulation of ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus neurons reduced nociceptive and spontaneous trigeminocervical complex neuronal firing. Naratriptan, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 and quinpirole inhibited trigeminovascular spontaneous activity, and trigeminocervical complex neuronal responses to dural-evoked electrical and mechanical noxious stimulation. Trigeminovascular sensory processing through modulation of the ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus resulted in reduced circulating glucose levels. CONCLUSION Pharmacological modulation of ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus neurons elicits changes in trigeminovascular sensory processing. The interplay between ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus activity and the sensory processing by the trigeminovascular system may be relevant to understand associated sensory and homeostatic symptoms in susceptible migraine patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Martins-Oliveira
- Headache Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Disease, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.,Department of Nutrition and Metabolism, NOVA Medical School
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS
- FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Lisboa, Portugal.,Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Simon Akerman
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Philip R Holland
- Headache Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Disease, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Isaura Tavares
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Peter J Goadsby
- Headache Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Disease, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.,Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA USA
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