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Lucas-Romero J, Rivera-Arconada I, Lopez-Garcia JA. Noise or signal? Spontaneous activity of dorsal horn neurons: patterns and function in health and disease. Pflugers Arch 2024:10.1007/s00424-024-02971-8. [PMID: 38822875 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02971-8] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Spontaneous activity refers to the firing of action potentials by neurons in the absence of external stimulation. Initially considered an artifact or "noise" in the nervous system, it is now recognized as a potential feature of neural function. Spontaneous activity has been observed in various brain areas, in experimental preparations from different animal species, and in live animals and humans using non-invasive imaging techniques. In this review, we specifically focus on the spontaneous activity of dorsal horn neurons of the spinal cord. We use a historical perspective to set the basis for a novel classification of the different patterns of spontaneous activity exhibited by dorsal horn neurons. Then we examine the origins of this activity and propose a model circuit to explain how the activity is generated and transmitted to the dorsal horn. Finally, we discuss possible roles of this activity during development and during signal processing under physiological conditions and pain states. By analyzing recent studies on the spontaneous activity of dorsal horn neurons, we aim to shed light on its significance in sensory processing. Understanding the different patterns of activity, the origins of this activity, and the potential roles it may play, will contribute to our knowledge of sensory mechanisms, including pain, to facilitate the modeling of spinal circuits and hopefully to explore novel strategies for pain treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Lucas-Romero
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcala, 28805, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA
| | | | - Jose Antonio Lopez-Garcia
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Alcala, 28805, Madrid, Spain.
- Departamento de Biologia de Sistemas, Edificio de Medicina, Universidad de Alcala, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km 33,600, 28805, Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
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2
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Hou Z, Wen Q, Zhou W, Yan P, Zhang H, Ding J. Topical Delivery of Ketorolac Tromethamine via Cataplasm for Inflammatory Pain Therapy. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051405. [PMID: 37242647 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been widely used in the treatment of inflammatory pain, such as in osteoarthritis. Ketorolac tromethamine is considered to be an NSAID with strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic potency, however, traditional applications, such as oral administration and injections, often induce high systemic exposure, leading to adverse events such as gastric ulceration and bleeding. To address this key limitation, herein we designed and fabricated a topical delivery system for ketorolac tromethamine via cataplasm, which is based on a three-dimensional mesh structure formed by the cross-linking of dihydroxyaluminum aminoacetate (DAAA) and sodium polyacrylate. The viscoelasticity of the cataplasm was characterized by rheological methods and exhibited a "gel-like" elastic property. The release behavior showed a Higuchi model characteristic with a dose dependence. To enhance the skin permeation, permeation enhancers were added and screened utilizing ex vivo pig skin, in which 1,2-propanediol was found to have the optimal permeation-promoting effect. The cataplasm was further applied to a rat carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain model, which showed comparable anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects with oral administration. Finally, the biosafety of the cataplasm was tested in healthy human volunteers, and reduced side effects were achieved as compared to the tablet formulation, which can be ascribed to less systemic drug exposure and lower blood drug concentrations. Therefore, the constructed cataplasm can reduce the risk of adverse events while maintaining efficacy, thus serving as a better alternative for the treatment of inflammatory pain, including osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Hou
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Qiang Wen
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Wenhu Zhou
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Peng Yan
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Hailong Zhang
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410006, China
- Changsha Jingyi Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Changsha 410006, China
| | - Jinsong Ding
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410006, China
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3
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Kutafina E, Becker S, Namer B. Measuring pain and nociception: Through the glasses of a computational scientist. Transdisciplinary overview of methods. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 3:1099282. [PMID: 36926544 PMCID: PMC10013045 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1099282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
In a healthy state, pain plays an important role in natural biofeedback loops and helps to detect and prevent potentially harmful stimuli and situations. However, pain can become chronic and as such a pathological condition, losing its informative and adaptive function. Efficient pain treatment remains a largely unmet clinical need. One promising route to improve the characterization of pain, and with that the potential for more effective pain therapies, is the integration of different data modalities through cutting edge computational methods. Using these methods, multiscale, complex, and network models of pain signaling can be created and utilized for the benefit of patients. Such models require collaborative work of experts from different research domains such as medicine, biology, physiology, psychology as well as mathematics and data science. Efficient work of collaborative teams requires developing of a common language and common level of understanding as a prerequisite. One of ways to meet this need is to provide easy to comprehend overviews of certain topics within the pain research domain. Here, we propose such an overview on the topic of pain assessment in humans for computational researchers. Quantifications related to pain are necessary for building computational models. However, as defined by the International Association of the Study of Pain (IASP), pain is a sensory and emotional experience and thus, it cannot be measured and quantified objectively. This results in a need for clear distinctions between nociception, pain and correlates of pain. Therefore, here we review methods to assess pain as a percept and nociception as a biological basis for this percept in humans, with the goal of creating a roadmap of modelling options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Kutafina
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Faculty of Applied Mathematics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Susanne Becker
- Clinical Psychology, Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Integrative Spinal Research, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Barbara Namer
- Junior Research Group Neuroscience, Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research Within the Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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4
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Park M, Jeon B, Park J, Kim S. Memristors with Nociceptor Characteristics Using Threshold Switching of Pt/HfO 2/TaOx/TaN Devices. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:4206. [PMID: 36500829 PMCID: PMC9736496 DOI: 10.3390/nano12234206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As artificial intelligence technology advances, it is necessary to imitate various biological functions to complete more complex tasks. Among them, studies have been reported on the nociceptor, a critical receptor of sensory neurons that can detect harmful stimuli. Although a complex CMOS circuit is required to electrically realize a nociceptor, a memristor with threshold switching characteristics can implement the nociceptor as a single device. Here, we suggest a memristor with a Pt/HfO2/TaOx/TaN bilayer structure. This device can mimic the characteristics of a nociceptor including the threshold, relaxation, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. Additionally, we contrast different electrical properties according to the thickness of the HfO2 layer. Moreover, Pt/HfO2/TaOx/TaN with a 3 nm thick HfO2 layer has a stable endurance of 1000 cycles and controllable threshold switching characteristics. Finally, this study emphasizes the importance of the material selection and fabrication method in the memristor by comparing Pt/HfO2/TaOx/TaN with Pt/TaOx/TaN, which has insufficient performance to be used as a nociceptor.
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Nikolenko VN, Shelomentseva EM, Tsvetkova MM, Abdeeva EI, Giller DB, Babayeva JV, Achkasov EE, Gavryushova LV, Sinelnikov MY. Nociceptors: Their Role in Body’s Defenses, Tissue Specific Variations and Anatomical Update. J Pain Res 2022; 15:867-877. [PMID: 35392632 PMCID: PMC8982820 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s348324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The human body is constantly under the influence of numerous pathological factors: both external and internal. These factors can be potentially harmful and are perceived as such with a specialized nervous system subunit: the nociceptive system. The functional unit of the nociceptive system is the nociceptor. Recent studies have shown that nociceptors play a crucial role in maintaining of defensive homeostasis (responsive, immune, behavioral). Nociceptors respond to potentially harmful stimuli within viscera, bones, muscles, skin and specialized sensory organs. They function as complex predictors of harm through formation of pain stimulus. Their function and structures vary within different tissues. This variability reflects the anatomical and pathological peculiarities of varying tissues. Nociceptors play a significant role in adaptive, protective and behavioral reactions. Their functional capabilities and vast spread throughout the body make them the main units of the body’s defense system, allowing us to interact with the inner and outer environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir N Nikolenko
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | | | | | - Elina I Abdeeva
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Dmitriy B Giller
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Juliya V Babayeva
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Evgeny E Achkasov
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | | | - Mikhail Y Sinelnikov
- First Moscow State Medical University Named After I.M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, 119901, Russian Federation
- Correspondence: Mikhail Y Sinelnikov, Sechenov University, Trubetskaya 8, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation, Tel/Fax +7 89199688587, Email
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Baguley IJ, Barden HL, Byth K. Investigating Inducible Muscle Overactivity in Acquired Brain Injury and the Impact of Botulinum Toxin A. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2021; 103:75-82.e1. [PMID: 34416250 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.07.802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the pattern of change in muscle overactivity during repetitive grasp/release using dynamic computerized dynamometry (DCD; objective 1) and the effect of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A; objective 2). DESIGN Secondary analysis of an observational cohort study. SETTING Hospital outpatient spasticity management service. PARTICIPANTS A convenience sample (N=65), comprising adults with upper motor neuron syndrome affecting the arm after acquired brain injury (ABI; n=38) and participants without ABI (n=27). INTERVENTIONS After clinical assessment, a subgroup of participants with ABI (n=28) underwent BTX-A injections as part of their spasticity management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Post hoc DCD data processing extracted the values of minimum force generation between 10 sequential contractions. The pattern of change was analyzed. RESULTS The ABI injected group exerted greater force at baseline than both other groups (ABI injected=1.04 kg, ABI noninjected=0.74 kg, participants without ABI=0.53 kg; P=.011). After the first contraction, minimum force values increased for all groups and were greatest in the ABI injected group. With subsequent cycles, the group without ABI showed a linear pattern of decreasing force generation, whereas both ABI groups showed a quadratic increasing pattern, which was of greater magnitude in the ABI injected group. After injection, values for the ABI injected group showed a 51% reduction in inducible muscle overactivity (P=.003) to magnitudes similar to those of the ABI noninjected group. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that hand relaxation deteriorated during repetitive movements in people with spasticity, a feature hypothesized to adversely influence everyday hand function. After BTX-A injection, the magnitude but not the pattern of this inducible muscle overactivity improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian J Baguley
- From the Brain injury Rehabilitation Service, Westmead Hospital, Wentworthville; The University of Sydney School of Medicine, Sydney.
| | - Hannah L Barden
- From the Brain injury Rehabilitation Service, Westmead Hospital, Wentworthville; Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Sydney
| | - Karen Byth
- Research and Education Network, Westmead Hospital, Wentworthville; NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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7
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Kim Y, Kwon YJ, Kwon DE, Yoon KJ, Yoon JH, Yoo S, Kim HJ, Park TH, Han JW, Kim KM, Hwang CS. Nociceptive Memristor. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:1704320. [PMID: 29318678 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201704320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The biomimetic characteristics of the memristor as an electronic synapse and neuron have inspired the advent of new information technology in the neuromorphic computing. The application of the memristors can be extended to the artificial nerves on condition of the presence of electronic receptors which can transfer the external stimuli to the internal nerve system. In this work, nociceptor behaviors are demonstrated from the Pt/HfO2 /TiN memristor for the electronic receptors. The device shows four specific nociceptive behaviors; threshold, relaxation, allodynia, and hyperalgesia, according to the strength, duration, and repetition rate of the external stimuli. Such nociceptive behaviors are attributed to the electron trapping/detrapping to/from the traps in the HfO2 layer, where the depth of trap energy level is ≈0.7 eV. Also, the built-in potential by the work function mismatch between the Pt and TiN electrodes induces time-dependent relaxation of trapped electrons, providing the appropriate relaxation behavior. The relaxation time can take from several milliseconds to tens of seconds, which corresponds to the time span of the decay of biosignal. The material-wise evaluation of the electronic nociceptor in comparison with other material, which did not show the desired functionality, Pt/Ti/HfO2 /TiN, reveals the importance of careful material design and fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jae Kwon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Eun Kwon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Jean Yoon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Ho Yoon
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Sijung Yoo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Jin Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hyung Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Woo Han
- Center for Nanotechnology, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Kyung Min Kim
- Hewlett Packard Laboratories, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Cheol Seong Hwang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-744, Republic of Korea
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8
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Peng X, Studholme K, Kanjiya MP, Luk J, Bogdan D, Elmes MW, Carbonetti G, Tong S, Gary Teng YH, Rizzo RC, Li H, Deutsch DG, Ojima I, Rebecchi MJ, Puopolo M, Kaczocha M. Fatty-acid-binding protein inhibition produces analgesic effects through peripheral and central mechanisms. Mol Pain 2017; 13:1744806917697007. [PMID: 28326944 PMCID: PMC5407663 DOI: 10.1177/1744806917697007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fatty-acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are intracellular carriers for endocannabinoids, N-acylethanolamines, and related lipids. Previous work indicates that systemically administered FABP5 inhibitors produce analgesia in models of inflammatory pain. It is currently not known whether FABP inhibitors exert their effects through peripheral or central mechanisms. Here, we examined FABP5 distribution in dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord and examined the analgesic effects of peripherally and centrally administered FABP5 inhibitors. Results Immunofluorescence revealed robust expression of FABP5 in lumbar dorsal root ganglia. FABP5 was distributed in peptidergic calcitonin gene-related peptide-expressing dorsal root ganglia and non-peptidergic isolectin B4-expressing dorsal root ganglia. In addition, the majority of dorsal root ganglia expressing FABP5 also expressed transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and peripherin, a marker of nociceptive fibers. Intraplantar administration of FABP5 inhibitors reduced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia in the complete Freund’s adjuvant model of chronic inflammatory pain. In contrast to its robust expression in dorsal root ganglia, FABP5 was sparsely distributed in the lumbar spinal cord and intrathecal administration of FABP inhibitor did not confer analgesic effects. Administration of FABP inhibitor via the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) route reduced thermal hyperalgesia. Antagonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha blocked the analgesic effects of peripherally and i.c.v. administered FABP inhibitor while antagonism of cannabinoid receptor 1 blocked the effects of peripheral FABP inhibition and a TRPV1 antagonist blocked the effects of i.c.v. administered inhibitor. Although FABP5 and TRPV1 were co-expressed in the periaqueductal gray region of the brain, which is known to modulate pain, knockdown of FABP5 in the periaqueductal gray using adeno-associated viruses and pharmacological FABP5 inhibition did not produce analgesic effects. Conclusions This study demonstrates that FABP5 is highly expressed in nociceptive dorsal root ganglia neurons and FABP inhibitors exert peripheral and supraspinal analgesic effects. This indicates that peripherally restricted FABP inhibitors may serve as a new class of analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Peng
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Keith Studholme
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Martha P Kanjiya
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Luk
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Diane Bogdan
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Matthew W Elmes
- 2 Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Gregory Carbonetti
- 2 Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Simon Tong
- 3 Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,4 Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Yu-Han Gary Teng
- 3 Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,4 Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Robert C Rizzo
- 4 Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,5 Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Huilin Li
- 2 Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,4 Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Dale G Deutsch
- 2 Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,4 Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Iwao Ojima
- 3 Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,4 Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Mario J Rebecchi
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Michelino Puopolo
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Martin Kaczocha
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,2 Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.,4 Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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9
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Zhao K, Tang Z, Wang H, Guo Y, Peng W, Hu L. Analgesia induced by self-initiated electrotactile sensation is mediated by top-down modulations. Psychophysiology 2017; 54:848-856. [PMID: 28169425 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that sensory perception can be attenuated when sensory stimuli are controlled by self-initiated actions. This phenomenon is explained by the consistency between forward models of anticipated action effects and actual sensory feedback. Specifically, the brain state related to the binding between motor processing and sensory perception would have inhibitory function by gating sensory information via top-down control. Since the brain state could casually influence the perception of subsequent stimuli of different sensory modalities, we hypothesize that pain evoked by nociceptive stimuli following the self-initiated tactile stimulation would be attenuated as compared to that following externally determined tactile stimulation. Here, we compared psychophysical and neurophysiological responses to identical nociceptive-specific laser stimuli in two different conditions: self-initiated tactile sensation condition (STS) and nonself-initiated tactile sensation condition (N-STS). We observed that pain intensity and unpleasantness, as well as laser-evoked brain responses, were significantly reduced in the STS condition compared to the N-STS condition. In addition, magnitudes of alpha and beta oscillations prior to laser onset were significantly larger in the STS condition than in the N-STS condition. These results confirmed that pain perception and pain-related brain responses were attenuated when the tactile stimulation was initiated by subjects' voluntary actions, and exploited neural oscillations reflecting the binding between motor processing and sensory feedback. Thus, our study elaborated the understanding of underlying neural mechanisms related to top-down modulations of the analgesic effect induced by self-initiated tactile sensation, which provided theoretical basis to improve the analgesic effect in various clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengyu Tang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huiquan Wang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yifei Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Peng
- Brain Function and Psychological Science Research Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China.,Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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10
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Kang DW, Moon JY, Choi JG, Kang SY, Ryu Y, Park JB, Lee JH, Kim HW. Antinociceptive Profile of Levo-tetrahydropalmatine in Acute and Chronic Pain Mice Models: Role of spinal sigma-1 receptor. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37850. [PMID: 27910870 PMCID: PMC5133565 DOI: 10.1038/srep37850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently reported that repeated systemic treatments of extract from Corydalis yanhusuo alleviate neuropathic pain and levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) is one of active components from Corydalis. We designed this study to investigate antinociceptive effect of l-THP in acute and chronic pain models and related mechanism within the spinal cord. We found that intraperitoneal pretreatment with l-THP significantly inhibited the second phase of formalin-induced pain behavior. In addition, intrathecal as well as intraperitoneal pretreatment with l-THP reduced the mechanical allodynia (MA) induced by direct activation of sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1). In chronic constriction injury mice, these treatments remarkably suppressed the increase in MA and spinal phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit expression on day 7 after surgery. Intrathecal treatment with l-THP combined with the Sig-1R antagonist, BD1047 synergistically blocked MA suggesting that l-THP modulates spinal Sig-1R activation. CatWalk gait analysis also supported that antinociceptive effect of l-THP as demonstrated by restoration of percentages of print area and single stance. Meanwhile, intrathecal pretreatment with naloxone, non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, did not affect the effect of l-THP. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that l-THP possesses antinociceptive effects through spinal Sig-1R mechanism and may be a useful analgesic in the management of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Wook Kang
- Department of Physiology and Medical Science, College of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, South Korea
| | - Ji-Young Moon
- KM Fundamental Research Division Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, South Korea
| | - Jae-Gyun Choi
- Department of Physiology and Medical Science, College of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, South Korea
| | - Suk-Yun Kang
- KM Fundamental Research Division Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, South Korea
| | - Yeonhee Ryu
- KM Fundamental Research Division Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, South Korea
| | - Jin Bong Park
- Department of Physiology and Medical Science, College of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, South Korea
| | - Jang-Hern Lee
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Woo Kim
- Department of Physiology and Medical Science, College of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, South Korea
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0625, USA
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Responsiveness of electrical nociceptive detection thresholds to capsaicin (8 %)-induced changes in nociceptive processing. Exp Brain Res 2016; 234:2505-14. [PMID: 27142052 PMCID: PMC4978767 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-016-4655-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Pain disorders can be initiated and maintained by malfunctioning of one or several mechanisms underlying the nociceptive function. Psychophysical procedures allow the estimation of nociceptive detection thresholds using intra-epidermal electrical stimuli. By varying the temporal properties of electrical stimuli, various contributions of nociceptive processes to stimulus processing can be observed. To observe the responsiveness of nociceptive thresholds to changes in nociceptive function, a model of capsaicin-induced nerve defunctionalization was used. Its effect on nociceptive detections thresholds was investigated over a period of 84 days. A cutaneous capsaicin (8 %) patch was applied for 60 min to the upper leg of eight healthy human participants. Single- and double-pulse electrical stimuli were presented in a pseudo-random order using an intra-epidermal electrode. Stimuli and corresponding responses were recorded on both treated and untreated skin areas prior to capsaicin application and on days 2, 7, 28, and 84. Increases in electrical detection thresholds at the capsaicin area were observed on days 2 and 7 for single-pulse stimuli. Detection thresholds corresponding to double-pulse stimuli were increased on days 7 and 28, suggesting a delayed and longer lasting effect on double-pulse stimuli. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the responsiveness of detection thresholds to capsaicin application depends on the temporal properties of electrical stimuli. The observation of capsaicin-induced changes by estimation of detection thresholds revealed different time patterns of contributions of peripheral and central mechanisms to stimulus processing.
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12
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Emerging Role of Spinal Cord TRPV1 in Pain Exacerbation. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:5954890. [PMID: 26885404 PMCID: PMC4738952 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5954890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2015] [Revised: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
TRPV1 is well known as a sensor ion channel that transduces a potentially harmful environment into electrical depolarization of the peripheral terminal of the nociceptive primary afferents. Although TRPV1 is also expressed in central regions of the nervous system, its roles in the area remain unclear. A series of recent reports on the spinal cord synapses have provided evidence that TRPV1 plays an important role in synaptic transmission in the pain pathway. Particularly, in pathologic pain states, TRPV1 in the central terminal of sensory neurons and interneurons is suggested to commonly contribute to pain exacerbation. These observations may lead to insights regarding novel synaptic mechanisms revealing veiled roles of spinal cord TRPV1 and may offer another opportunity to modulate pathological pain by controlling TRPV1. In this review, we introduce historical perspectives of this view and details of the recent promising results. We also focus on extended issues and unsolved problems to fully understand the role of TRPV1 in pathological pain. Together with recent findings, further efforts for fine analysis of TRPV1's plastic roles in pain synapses at different levels in the central nervous system will promote a better understanding of pathologic pain mechanisms and assist in developing novel analgesic strategies.
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Doll RJ, Maten ACA, Spaan SPG, Veltink PH, Buitenweg JR. Effect of temporal stimulus properties on the nociceptive detection probability using intra-epidermal electrical stimulation. Exp Brain Res 2015; 234:219-27. [PMID: 26438507 PMCID: PMC4713721 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-015-4451-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain disorders can be initiated and maintained by malfunctioning of one or several mechanisms underlying the nociceptive function. Although several quantitative sensory testing methods exist to characterize the nociceptive function, it remains difficult to distinguish the contributions of individual mechanisms. Intra-epidermal electrical stimulation of nociceptive fibers allows defining stimuli with temporal properties within the timescale of these mechanisms. Here, we studied the effect of stimulus properties on the psychophysical detection probability. A psychophysical detection experiment was conducted including 30 healthy human participants. Participants were presented with electrical stimuli having various temporal properties. The pulse-width was varied for single pulse stimuli (either 420 or 840 μs), and the inter-pulse interval for double pulse stimuli (10, 50, or 100 ms). Generalized linear mixed models were used to obtain estimates of thresholds and slopes of the psychophysical function. The 840-μs single pulse resulted in a lower threshold and steeper slope of the psychophysical function than the 420-μs single pulse. Moreover, a double-pulse stimulus resulted in a lower threshold and steeper slope than single pulse stimuli. The slopes were similar between the double pulse stimuli, but thresholds slightly increased with increasing inter-pulse intervals. In the present study, it was demonstrated that varying the temporal properties of intra-epidermal electrical stimuli results in variations in nociceptive processing. The estimated thresholds and slopes corresponding to the selection of temporal properties suggest that contributions of peripheral and central nociceptive mechanisms can be reflected in psychophysical functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Doll
- Biomedical Signals and Systems, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Zuidhorst, ZH-222, Drienerlolaan 5, PO BOX 217, Enschede, The Netherlands.
| | - Annefloor C A Maten
- Biomedical Signals and Systems, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Zuidhorst, ZH-222, Drienerlolaan 5, PO BOX 217, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd P G Spaan
- Biomedical Signals and Systems, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Zuidhorst, ZH-222, Drienerlolaan 5, PO BOX 217, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Peter H Veltink
- Biomedical Signals and Systems, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Zuidhorst, ZH-222, Drienerlolaan 5, PO BOX 217, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Jan R Buitenweg
- Biomedical Signals and Systems, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Zuidhorst, ZH-222, Drienerlolaan 5, PO BOX 217, Enschede, The Netherlands
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Walters ET. Neuroinflammatory contributions to pain after SCI: roles for central glial mechanisms and nociceptor-mediated host defense. Exp Neurol 2014; 258:48-61. [PMID: 25017887 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury (SCI) is common, often intractable, and can be severely debilitating. A number of mechanisms have been proposed for this pain, which are discussed briefly, along with methods for revealing SCI pain in animal models, such as the recently applied conditioned place preference test. During the last decade, studies of animal models have shown that both central neuroinflammation and behavioral hypersensitivity (indirect reflex measures of pain) persist chronically after SCI. Interventions that reduce neuroinflammation have been found to ameliorate pain-related behavior, such as treatment with agents that inhibit the activation states of microglia and/or astroglia (including IL-10, minocycline, etanercept, propentofylline, ibudilast, licofelone, SP600125, carbenoxolone). Reversal of pain-related behavior has also been shown with disruption by an inhibitor (CR8) and/or genetic deletion of cell cycle-related proteins, deletion of a truncated receptor (trkB.T1) for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), or reduction by antisense knockdown or an inhibitor (AMG9810) of the activity of channels (TRPV1 or Nav1.8) important for electrical activity in primary nociceptors. Nociceptor activity is known to drive central neuroinflammation in peripheral injury models, and nociceptors appear to be an integral component of host defense. Thus, emerging results suggest that spinal and systemic effects of SCI can activate nociceptor-mediated host defense responses that interact via neuroinflammatory signaling with complex central consequences of SCI to drive chronic pain. This broader view of SCI-induced neuroinflammation suggests new targets, and additional complications, for efforts to develop effective treatments for neuropathic SCI pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar T Walters
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, TX, USA.
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Lavertu G, Côté SL, De Koninck Y. Enhancing K–Cl co-transport restores normal spinothalamic sensory coding in a neuropathic pain model. Brain 2013; 137:724-38. [DOI: 10.1093/brain/awt334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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16
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Dahlem MA. Migraine generator network and spreading depression dynamics as neuromodulation targets in episodic migraine. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2013; 23:046101. [PMID: 24387580 DOI: 10.1063/1.4813815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Migraine is a common disabling headache disorder characterized by recurrent episodes sometimes preceded or accompanied by focal neurological symptoms called aura. The relation between two subtypes, migraine without aura (MWoA) and migraine with aura (MWA), is explored with the aim to identify targets for neuromodulation techniques. To this end, a dynamically regulated control system is schematically reduced to a network of the trigeminal nerve, which innervates the cranial circulation, an associated descending modulatory network of brainstem nuclei, and parasympathetic vasomotor efferents. This extends the idea of a migraine generator region in the brainstem to a larger network and is still simple and explicit enough to open up possibilities for mathematical modeling in the future. In this study, it is suggested that the migraine generator network (MGN) is driven and may therefore respond differently to different spatio-temporal noxious input in the migraine subtypes MWA and MWoA. The noxious input is caused by a cortical perturbation of homeostasis, known as spreading depression (SD). The MGN might even trigger SD in the first place by a failure in vasomotor control. As a consequence, migraine is considered as an inherently dynamical disease to which a linear course from upstream to downstream events would not do justice. Minimally invasive and noninvasive neuromodulation techniques are briefly reviewed and their rational is discussed in the context of the proposed mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus A Dahlem
- Institute of Physics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Liang L, Mendell LM. Bilateral transient changes in thalamic nucleus ventroposterior lateralis after thoracic hemisection in the rat. J Neurophysiol 2013; 110:942-51. [PMID: 23741041 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00998.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We made simultaneous bilateral recordings of unit activity in the nucleus ventroposterior lateralis (VPL) in intact rats and after acute and chronic left thoracic hemisection. We observed an immediate bilateral decline in multireceptive units, reflecting a loss of nociceptive input on the lesion side and a loss of low-threshold inputs contralaterally. Unit properties were restored to normal by 6 wk. Mean spontaneous discharge frequency remained unchanged in left VPL at all intervals. Right VPL displayed a substantial increase in spontaneous discharge frequency at 2 and 4 wk, returning to normal by 6 wk. Activity in left VPL driven by Pinch or Brush of the right limb was unchanged except for an immediate decrease in the response to Pinch, which was reversed by 2 wk despite persistent left hemisection. In right VPL, the response to Pinch or Brush of the left hindlimb was enhanced at 2 and 4 wk but returned to normal by 6 wk. Behaviorally, the same rats displayed increased sensitivity to mechanical stimulation of the left hindlimb, but, unlike VPL activity, there was no significant behavioral recovery. Bursting cells were also observed bilaterally in VPL, but this did not match the restriction of scratches to the hindlimb contralateral to the hemisection considered to be evidence for neuropathic pain. The novel findings include recovery of responsiveness to Pinch on the side ipsilateral to the hemisection despite the lack of spinothalamic input as well as failure for the thalamus contralateral to hemisection to maintain its elevated responsiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liang
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5230, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Leshner
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC 20005; and
| | - Donald W. Pfaff
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021
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