1
|
Liang Y, Zhao Q, Neubert JK, Ding M. Causal interactions in brain networks predict pain levels in trigeminal neuralgia. Brain Res Bull 2024; 211:110947. [PMID: 38614409 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110947] [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: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a highly debilitating facial pain condition. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the main method for generating insights into the central mechanisms of TN pain in humans. Studies have found both structural and functional abnormalities in various brain structures in TN patients as compared with healthy controls. Whereas studies have also examined aberrations in brain networks in TN, no studies have to date investigated causal interactions in these brain networks and related these causal interactions to the levels of TN pain. We recorded fMRI data from 39 TN patients who either rested comfortably in the scanner during the resting state session or tracked their pain levels during the pain tracking session. Applying Granger causality to analyze the data and requiring consistent findings across the two scanning sessions, we found 5 causal interactions, including: (1) Thalamus → dACC, (2) Caudate → Inferior temporal gyrus, (3) Precentral gyrus → Inferior temporal gyrus, (4) Supramarginal gyrus → Inferior temporal gyrus, and (5) Bankssts → Inferior temporal gyrus, that were consistently associated with the levels of pain experienced by the patients. Utilizing these 5 causal interactions as predictor variables and the pain score as the predicted variable in a linear multiple regression model, we found that in both pain tracking and resting state sessions, the model was able to explain ∼36 % of the variance in pain levels, and importantly, the model trained on the 5 causal interaction values from one session was able to predict pain levels using the 5 causal interaction values from the other session, thereby cross-validating the models. These results, obtained by applying novel analytical methods to neuroimaging data, provide important insights into the pathophysiology of TN and could inform future studies aimed at developing innovative therapies for treating TN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Liang
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Qing Zhao
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - John K Neubert
- Department of Orthodontics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Mingzhou Ding
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li G, He Z, Hu J, Xiao C, Fan W, Zhang Z, Yao Q, Zou J, Huang G, Zeng Q. Association between pain interference and motoric cognitive risk syndrome in older adults: a population-based cohort study. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:437. [PMID: 38760712 PMCID: PMC11102256 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04974-7] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a pre-dementia condition characterized by subjective complaints in cognition and slow gait. Pain interference has previously been linked with cognitive deterioration; however, its specific relationship with MCR remains unclear. We aimed to examine how pain interference is associated with concurrent and incident MCR. METHODS This study included older adults aged ≥ 65 years without dementia from the Health and Retirement Study. We combined participants with MCR information in 2006 and 2008 as baseline, and the participants were followed up 4 and 8 years later. The states of pain interference were divided into 3 categories: interfering pain, non-interfering pain, and no pain. Logistic regression analysis was done at baseline to examine the associations between pain interference and concurrent MCR. During the 8-year follow-up, Cox regression analysis was done to investigate the associations between pain interference and incident MCR. RESULTS The study included 7120 older adults (74.6 ± 6.7 years; 56.8% females) at baseline. The baseline prevalence of MCR was 5.7%. Individuals with interfering pain had a significantly increased risk of MCR (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.17-1.95; p = 0.001). The longitudinal analysis included 4605 participants, and there were 284 (6.2%) MCR cases on follow-up. Participants with interfering pain at baseline had a higher risk for MCR at 8 years of follow-up (HR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.52-2.69; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Older adults with interfering pain had a higher risk for MCR versus those with non-interfering pain or without pain. Timely and adequate management of interfering pain may contribute to the prevention and treatment of MCR and its associated adverse outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gege Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zijun He
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Dongguan people's hospital), Dongguan, China
| | - Jinjing Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chongwu Xiao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weichao Fan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuodong Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiuru Yao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Nursing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jihua Zou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong (SAR), China.
| | - Guozhi Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Qing Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li X, Meng F, Huang W, Cui Y, Meng F, Wu S, Xu H. The Alterations in the Brain Corresponding to Low Back Pain: Recent Insights and Advances. Neural Plast 2024; 2024:5599046. [PMID: 38529366 PMCID: PMC10963108 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5599046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of global disabilities. Numerous molecular, cellular, and anatomical factors are implicated in LBP. Current issues regarding neurologic alterations in LBP have focused on the reorganization of peripheral nerve and spinal cord, but neural mechanisms of exactly what LBP impacts on the brain required further researches. Based on existing clinical studies that chronic pain problems were accompanying alterations in brain structures and functions, researchers proposed logical conjectures that similar alterations occur in LBP patients as well. With recent extensive studies carried out using noninvasive neuroimaging technique, increasing number of abnormalities and alterations has been identified. Here, we reviewed brain alterations including white matters, grey matters, and neural circuits between brain areas, which are involved in chronic LBP. Moreover, brain structural and functional connectivity abnormalities are correlated to the happening and transition of LBP. The negative emotions related to back pain indicate possible alterations in emotional brain regions. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarize current findings on the alterations corresponding to LBP in the brain. It will not only further our understanding of etiology of LBP and understanding of negative emotions accompanying with back pain but also provide ideas and basis for new accesses to the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation afterward based on integral medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuyang Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fancheng Meng
- Department of Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenye Huang
- Department of Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yue Cui
- Department of Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fanbo Meng
- Department of Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Leopold SS. Editor's Spotlight/Take 5: Patients With Preexisting Anxiety and Mood Disorders Are More Likely to Develop Complex Regional Pain Syndrome After Fractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2024; 482:219-221. [PMID: 38294271 PMCID: PMC10776147 DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000002958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Seth S Leopold
- Editor-in-Chief, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®, Park Ridge, IL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pang X, Liang X, Chang W, Lv Z, Zhao J, Wu P, Li X, Wei W, Zheng J. The role of the thalamus in modular functional networks in temporal lobe epilepsy with cognitive impairment. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14345. [PMID: 37424152 PMCID: PMC10848054 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14345] [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: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive deficit is common in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Here, we aimed to investigate the modular architecture of functional networks associated with distinct cognitive states in TLE patients together with the role of the thalamus in modular networks. METHODS Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired from 53 TLE patients and 37 matched healthy controls. All patients received the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and accordingly were divided into TLE patients with normal cognition (TLE-CN, n = 35) and TLE patients with cognitive impairment (TLE-CI, n = 18) groups. The modular properties of functional networks were calculated and compared including global modularity Q, modular segregation index, intramodular connections, and intermodular connections. Thalamic subdivisions corresponding to the modular networks were generated by applying a 'winner-take-all' strategy before analyzing the modular properties (participation coefficient and within-module degree z-score) of each thalamic subdivision to assess the contribution of the thalamus to modular functional networks. Relationships between network properties and cognitive performance were then further explored. RESULTS Both TLE-CN and TLE-CI patients showed lower global modularity, as well as lower modular segregation index values for the ventral attention network and the default mode network. However, different patterns of intramodular and intermodular connections existed for different cognitive states. In addition, both TLE-CN and TLE-CI patients exhibited anomalous modular properties of functional thalamic subdivisions, with TLE-CI patients presenting a broader range of abnormalities. Cognitive performance in TLE-CI patients was not related to the modular properties of functional network but rather to the modular properties of functional thalamic subdivisions. CONCLUSIONS The thalamus plays a prominent role in modular networks and potentially represents a key neural mechanism underlying cognitive impairment in TLE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Pang
- Department of NeurologyGuangxi Medical University First Affiliated HospitalNanningChina
| | - Xiulin Liang
- Department of NeurologyGuangxi Medical University First Affiliated HospitalNanningChina
| | - Weiwei Chang
- Department of NeurologyGuangxi Medical University First Affiliated HospitalNanningChina
| | - Zongxia Lv
- Department of NeurologyGuangxi Medical University First Affiliated HospitalNanningChina
| | - Jingyuan Zhao
- Department of NeurologyGuangxi Medical University First Affiliated HospitalNanningChina
| | - Peirong Wu
- Department of NeurologyGuangxi Medical University First Affiliated HospitalNanningChina
| | - Xinrong Li
- Department of NeurologyGuangxi Medical University First Affiliated HospitalNanningChina
| | - Wutong Wei
- Department of NeurologyGuangxi Medical University First Affiliated HospitalNanningChina
| | - Jinou Zheng
- Department of NeurologyGuangxi Medical University First Affiliated HospitalNanningChina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kong Q, Li T, Reddy S, Hodges S, Kong J. Brain stimulation targets for chronic pain: Insights from meta-analysis, functional connectivity and literature review. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00297. [PMID: 38237403 PMCID: PMC10903102 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2023.10.007] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have demonstrated their potential for chronic pain management, yet their efficacy exhibits variability across studies. Refining stimulation targets and exploring additional targets offer a possible solution to this challenge. This study aimed to identify potential brain surface targets for NIBS in treating chronic pain disorders by integrating literature review, neuroimaging meta-analysis, and functional connectivity analysis on 90 chronic low back pain patients. Our results showed that the primary motor cortex (M1) (C3/C4, 10-20 EEG system) and prefrontal cortex (F3/F4/Fz) were the most used brain stimulation targets for chronic pain treatment according to the literature review. The bilateral precentral gyrus (M1), supplementary motor area, Rolandic operculum, and temporoparietal junction, were all identified as common potential NIBS targets through both a meta-analysis sourced from Neurosynth and functional connectivity analysis. This study presents a comprehensive summary of the current literature and refines the existing NIBS targets through a combination of imaging meta-analysis and functional connectivity analysis for chronic pain conditions. The derived coordinates (with integration of the international electroencephalography (EEG) 10/20 electrode placement system) within the above brain regions may further facilitate the localization of these targets for NIBS application. Our findings may have the potential to expand NIBS target selection beyond current clinical trials and improve chronic pain treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Sveta Reddy
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Sierra Hodges
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Peng K, Karunakaran KD, Green S, Borsook D. Machines, mathematics, and modules: the potential to provide real-time metrics for pain under anesthesia. NEUROPHOTONICS 2024; 11:010701. [PMID: 38389718 PMCID: PMC10883389 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.11.1.010701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The brain-based assessments under anesthesia have provided the ability to evaluate pain/nociception during surgery and the potential to prevent long-term evolution of chronic pain. Prior studies have shown that the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-measured changes in cortical regions such as the primary somatosensory and the polar frontal cortices show consistent response to evoked and ongoing pain in awake, sedated, and anesthetized patients. We take this basic approach and integrate it into a potential framework that could provide real-time measures of pain/nociception during the peri-surgical period. This application could have significant implications for providing analgesia during surgery, a practice that currently lacks quantitative evidence to guide patient tailored pain management. Through a simple readout of "pain" or "no pain," the proposed system could diminish or eliminate levels of intraoperative, early post-operative, and potentially, the transition to chronic post-surgical pain. The system, when validated, could also be applied to measures of analgesic efficacy in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ke Peng
- University of Manitoba, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Price Faculty of Engineering, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Keerthana Deepti Karunakaran
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Stephen Green
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - David Borsook
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Radiology, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sacca V, Wen Y, Hodges S, Kong J. Modulation effects of repeated transcranial direct current stimulation on the dorsal attention and frontal parietal networks and its association with placebo and nocebo effects. Neuroimage 2023; 284:120433. [PMID: 37939891 PMCID: PMC10768876 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120433] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Literature suggests that attention is a critical cognitive process for pain perception and modulation and may play an important role in placebo and nocebo effects. Here, we investigated how repeated transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied at the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for three consecutive days can modulate the brain functional connectivity (FC) of two networks involved in cognitive control: the frontoparietal network (FPN) and dorsal attention network (DAN), and its association with placebo and nocebo effects. 81 healthy subjects were randomized to three groups: anodal, cathodal, and sham tDCS. Resting state fMRI scans were acquired pre- and post- tDCS on the first and third day of tDCS. An Independent Component Analysis (ICA) was performed to identify the FPN and DAN. ANCOVA was applied for group analysis. Compared to sham tDCS, 1) both cathodal and anodal tDCS increased the FC between the DAN and right parietal operculum; cathodal tDCS also increased the FC between the DAN and right postcentral gyrus; 2) anodal tDCS led to an increased FC between the FPN and right parietal operculum, while cathodal tDCS was associated with increased FC between the FPN and left superior parietal lobule/precuneus; 3) the FC increase between the DAN and right parietal operculum was significantly correlated to the placebo analgesia effect in the cathodal group. Our findings suggest that both repeated cathodal and anodal tDCS could modulate the FC of two important cognitive brain networks (DAN and FPN), which may modulate placebo / nocebo effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Sacca
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Ya Wen
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Sierra Hodges
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chang J, Zhu K, Zhang S, Wang Y, Li Y, Zuo J, Xie B, Ni H, Yao J, Xu Z, Yan T, Wu X, Chen S, Xu P, Song P, Wu Y, Zhu J, Shen C, Yu Y, Dong F. Dysregulated neural activity between the thalamus and cerebral cortex mediates cortical reorganization in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Brain Res Bull 2023; 205:110837. [PMID: 38043647 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110837] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuroimaging research has revealed significant changes in brain structure and function in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM). The thalamus plays a crucial role in this process, although its mechanisms of action remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate whether spinal cord compression leads to alterations in the functional connectivity between the thalamus and the cerebral cortex, and to determine if such changes are associated with structural and functional remodeling of the brain in patients with CSM, and to identify potential neuroimaging biomarkers for classification. The study included 40 patients with CSM and 34 healthy controls(HCs) who underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) and structural MRI scans. Brain structural and functional metrics were quantified using functional connectivity(FC), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(fALFF), surface-based morphometry(SBM), and independent component analysis(ICA) based on functional and structural MRI. Patients with CSM exhibited significantly reduced fALFF in the bilateral lateral lingual gyrus, bilateral calcarine fissure, left precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus, left middle and superior occipital gyrus, left superior marginal gyrus, left inferior parietal gyrus, and right Rolandic operculum. ICA results revealed weakened functional connectivity between the sensorimotor network (SMN) and the left and right frontoparietal network(FPN), and lateral visual network (lVN), along with decreased connectivity between lVN and rFPN, and increased connectivity between lFPN and rFPN. Patients with CSM also had decreased sulcus depth in the bilateral insula, left precentral and postcentral gyrus, and right lingual gyrus and calcarine fissure. Furthermore, cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients showed decreased functional connectivity between the left ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL) of the thalamus and the right middle occipital gyrus (MOG). Finally,multimodal neuroimaging with support vector machine(SVM) classified patients with CSM and healthy controls with 86.00% accuracy. Our study revealed that the decrease in functional connectivity between the thalamus and cortex mediated by spinal cord compression leads to structural and functional reorganization of the cortex. Features based on neuroimaging markers have the potential to become neuroimaging biomarkers for CSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianchao Chang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Kun Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Siya Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Junxun Zuo
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bingyong Xie
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Haoyu Ni
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jiyuan Yao
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhibin Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Tingfei Yan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xianyong Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Senlin Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Dongcheng Branch of The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Feidong People's Hospital), Hefei, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Peiwen Song
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jiajia Zhu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Cailiang Shen
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yongqiang Yu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fulong Dong
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chen Y, Yang Y, Gong Z, Kang Y, Zhang Y, Chen H, Zeng K, Men X, Wang J, Huang Y, Wang H, Zhan S, Tan W, Wang W. Altered effective connectivity from cerebellum to motor cortex in chronic low back pain: A multivariate pattern analysis and spectral dynamic causal modeling study. Brain Res Bull 2023; 204:110794. [PMID: 37871687 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
To explore the central processing mechanism of pain perception in chronic low back pain (cLBP) using multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) based on the static and dynamic fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) analysis, and spectral dynamic causal modeling (spDCM). Thirty-two patients with cLBP and 29 matched healthy controls (HCs) for the first cohort and 24 patients with cLBP and 22 HCs for the validation cohort underwent resting-state fMRI scan. The alterations in static and dynamic fALFF were as classification features to distinguish patients with cLBP from HCs. The brain regions gotten from the MVPA results were used for further spDCM analysis. We found that the most discriminative brain regions that contributed to the classification were the right supplementary motor area (SMA.R), left paracentral lobule (PCL.L), and bilateral cerebellar Crus II. The spDCM results displayed decreased excitatory influence from the bilateral cerebellar Crus II to PCL.L in patients with cLBP compared with HCs. Moreover, the conversion of effective connectivity from the bilateral cerebellar Crus II to SMA.R from excitatory influence to inhibitive influence, and the effective connectivity strength exhibited partially mediated effects on Chinese Short Form Oswestry Disability Index Questionnaire (C-SFODI) scores. Our findings suggest that the cerebellum and its weakened or inhibited connections to the motor cortex may be one of the underlying feedback pathways for pain perception in cLBP, and partially mediate the degree of dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yilei Chen
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchan Yang
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhigang Gong
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingjie Kang
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Zeng
- Department of Tuina, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiubo Men
- Department of Tuina, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianwei Wang
- Department of Tuina, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanwen Huang
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Songhua Zhan
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenli Tan
- Department of Radiology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Tuina, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yang HJ, Wu HM, Li XH, Jin R, Zhang L, Dong T, Zhou XQ, Zhang B, Zhang QJ, Mao CP. Functional disruptions of the brain network in low back pain: a graph-theoretical study. Neuroradiology 2023; 65:1483-1495. [PMID: 37608218 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-023-03209-7] [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: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in the topological organization of whole-brain functional networks in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and characterize the relationship of these alterations with pain characteristics. METHODS Thirty-three CLBP patients and 34 matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent fMRI scans. A graph-theoretical approach was applied to identify brain network changes in patients suffering from chronic low back pain given its nonspecific etiology and complexity. Graph theory-based analysis was used to construct functional connectivity matrices and extract the features of small-world networks of the brain in both groups. Then, the whole-brain functional connectivity differences were characterized by network-based statistics (NBS) analysis, and the relationship between the altered brain features and clinical measures was explored. RESULTS At the global level, patients with CLBP showed significantly decreased gamma, sigma, global efficiency, and local efficiency and increased lambda and shortest path length compared with HCs. At the regional level, there were deficits in nodal efficiency within the default mode network and salience network. NBS analysis demonstrated that decreased functional connectivity was present in the CLBP patients, mainly in the frontolimbic circuit and temporal regions. Furthermore, aspects of topological dysfunctions in CLBP were correlated with pain severity. CONCLUSION This study highlighted the aberrant topological organization of functional brain networks in CLBP, which may shed light on the pathophysiology of CLBP and support the development of pain management approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hua Juan Yang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157, Xi'wu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hong Mei Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157, Xi'wu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Hui Li
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157, Xi'wu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui Jin
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157, Xi'wu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157, Xi'wu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ting Dong
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157, Xi'wu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Qian Zhou
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157, Xi'wu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157, Xi'wu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiu Juan Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157, Xi'wu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Cui Ping Mao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157, Xi'wu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tang C, Guo G, Fang S, Yao C, Zhu B, Kong L, Pan X, Li X, He W, Wu Z, Fang M. Abnormal brain activity in lumbar disc herniation patients with chronic pain is associated with their clinical symptoms. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1206604. [PMID: 37575297 PMCID: PMC10416647 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1206604] [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: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Lumbar disc herniation, a chronic degenerative disease, is one of the major contributors to chronic low back pain and disability. Although many studies have been conducted in the past on brain function in chronic low back pain, most of these studies did not classify chronic low back pain (cLBP) patients according to their etiology. The lack of etiologic classification may lead to inconsistencies between findings, and the correlation between differences in brain activation and clinical symptoms in patients with cLBP was less studied in the past. Methods In this study, 36 lumbar disc herniation patients with chronic low back pain (LDHCP) and 36 healthy controls (HCs) were included to study brain activity abnormalities in LDHCP. Visual analogue scale (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to assess clinical symptoms. Results The results showed that LDHCP patients exhibited abnormally increased and diminished activation of brain regions compared to HCs. Correlation analysis showed that the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in the left middle frontal gyrus is negatively correlated with SAS and VAS, while the right superior temporal gyrus is positively correlated with SAS and VAS, the dorsolateral left superior frontal gyrus and the right middle frontal gyrus are negatively correlated with VAS and SAS, respectively. Conclusion LDHCP patients have brain regions with abnormally increased and abnormally decreased activation compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, some of the abnormally activated brain regions were correlated with clinical pain or emotional symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Tang
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangxin Guo
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sitong Fang
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chongjie Yao
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bowen Zhu
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingjun Kong
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuanjin Pan
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinrong Li
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weibin He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiwei Wu
- Research Institute of Tuina, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Fang
- Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Huang Y, Zhang Y, Hodges S, Li H, Yan Z, Liu X, Hou X, Chen W, Chai-Zhang T, Kong J, Liu B. The modulation effects of repeated transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on the functional connectivity of key brainstem regions along the vagus nerve pathway in migraine patients. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1160006. [PMID: 37333617 PMCID: PMC10275573 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1160006] [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: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have shown a significant response to acute transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in regions of the vagus nerve pathway, including the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), raphe nucleus (RN) and locus coeruleus (LC) in both healthy human participants and migraine patients. This study aims to investigate the modulation effect of repeated taVNS on these brainstem regions by applying seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) analysis. Methods 70 patients with migraine were recruited and randomized to receive real or sham taVNS treatments for 4 weeks. fMRI data were collected from each participant before and after 4 weeks of treatment. The rsFC analyses were performed using NTS, RN and LC as the seeds. Results 59 patients (real group: n = 33; sham group: n = 29) completed two fMRI scan sessions. Compared to sham taVNS, real taVNS was associated with a significant reduction in the number of migraine attack days (p = 0.024) and headache pain intensity (p = 0.008). The rsFC analysis showed repeated taVNS modulated the functional connectivity between the brain stem regions of the vagus nerve pathway and brain regions associated with the limbic system (bilateral hippocampus), pain processing and modulation (bilateral postcentral gyrus, thalamus, and mPFC), and basal ganglia (putamen/caudate). In addition, the rsFC change between the RN and putamen was significantly associated with the reduction in the number of migraine days. Conclusion Our findings suggest that taVNS can significantly modulate the vagus nerve central pathway, which may contribute to the potential treatment effects of taVNS for migraine.Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn/hvshowproject.aspx?id=11101, identifier ChiCTR-INR-17010559.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sierra Hodges
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoxian Yan
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xian Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Hou
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weicui Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Thalia Chai-Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Maestrini I, Rocchi L, Puledda F, Viganò A, Giuliani G, Jannini TB, Celletti C, Altieri M, Camerota F, Toscano M, Di Piero V. Habituation deficit of visual evoked potentials in migraine patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1072785. [PMID: 36970542 PMCID: PMC10034036 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1072785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesMigraine is one of the most frequent clinical manifestations of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). The comorbidity between these two diseases has been only partially investigated. We aimed to observe whether neurophysiological alterations described in migraineurs in visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were present in hEDS patients with migraine.MethodsWe enrolled 22 hEDS patients with migraine (hEDS) and 22 non-hEDS patients with migraine (MIG), with and without aura (according to ICHD-3), as well as 22 healthy controls (HC). Repetitive pattern reversal (PR)-VEPs were recorded in basal conditions in all participants. During uninterrupted stimulation, 250 cortical responses were recorded (4,000 Hz sample rate) and divided into epochs of 300 ms after the stimulus. Cerebral responses were divided into five blocks. The habituation was calculated as the slope interpolating the amplitudes in each block, for both the N75-P100 and P100-N145 components of PR-VEP.ResultsWe observed a significant habituation deficit of the P100-N145 component of PR-VEP in hEDS compared to HC (p = 0.002), unexpectedly more pronounced than in MIG. We observed only a slight habituation deficit of N75-P100 in hEDS, with a slope degree that was intermediate between MIG and HC.DiscussionhEDS patients with migraine presented an interictal habituation deficit of both VEPs components like MIG. Pathophysiological aspects underlying the pathology could account for the peculiar pattern of habituation in hEDS patients with migraine characterized by a pronounced habituation deficit in the P100-N145 component and a less clear-cut habituation deficit in the N75-P100 component with respect to MIG.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Maestrini
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Headache Centre, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Ilaria Maestrini
| | - Lorenzo Rocchi
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Puledda
- Headache Group, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases (CARD), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Viganò
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Headache Centre, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Milan, Italy
| | - Giada Giuliani
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Headache Centre, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Celletti
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Division, Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Altieri
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Headache Centre, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Camerota
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Division, Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Toscano
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Headache Centre, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurology, Fatebenefratelli Hospital - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Di Piero
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Headache Centre, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- University Consortium for Adaptive Disorders and Head Pain (UCADH), Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Adhia DB, Mani R, Mathew J, O'Leary F, Smith M, Vanneste S, De Ridder D. Exploring electroencephalographic infraslow neurofeedback treatment for chronic low back pain: a double-blinded safety and feasibility randomized placebo-controlled trial. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1177. [PMID: 36670176 PMCID: PMC9860016 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28344-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a disabling condition worldwide. In CLBP, neuroimaging studies demonstrate abnormal activities in cortical areas responsible for pain modulation, emotional, and sensory components of pain experience [i.e., pregenual and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC, dACC), and somatosensory cortex (SSC), respectively]. This pilot study, conducted in a university setting, evaluated the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of a novel electroencephalography-based infraslow-neurofeedback (EEG ISF-NF) technique for retraining activities in pgACC, dACC and SSC and explored its effects on pain and disability. Participants with CLBP (n = 60), recruited between July'20 to March'21, received 12 sessions of either: ISF-NF targeting pgACC, dACC + SSC, a ratio of pgACC*2/dACC + SSC, or Placebo-NF. Descriptive statistics demonstrated that ISF-NF training is feasible [recruitment rate (7 participants/month), dropouts (25%; 20-27%), and adherence (80%; 73-88%)], safe (no adverse events reported), and was moderate to highly acceptable [Mean ± SD: 7.8 ± 2.0 (pgACC), 7.5 ± 2.7 (dACC + SCC), 8.2 ± 1.9 (Ratio), and 7.7 ± 1.5 (Placebo)]. ISF-NF targeting pgACC demonstrated the most favourable clinical outcomes, with a higher proportion of participants exhibiting a clinically meaningful reduction in pain severity [53%; MD (95% CI): - 1.9 (- 2.7, - 1.0)], interference [80%; MD (95% CI): - 2.3 (- 3.5, - 1.2)], and disability [73%; MD (95% CI): - 4.5 (- 6.1, - 2.9)] at 1-month follow-up. ISF-NF training is a feasible, safe, and an acceptable treatment approach for CLBP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Bharatkumar Adhia
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, PO BOX 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand. .,Pain@Otago Research Theme, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. .,Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
| | - Ramakrishnan Mani
- Pain@Otago Research Theme, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.,Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jerin Mathew
- Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.,Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Finella O'Leary
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, PO BOX 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Mark Smith
- Neurofeedback Therapy Services of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sven Vanneste
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dirk De Ridder
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, PO BOX 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.,Pain@Otago Research Theme, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Pinto CB, Bielefeld J, Barroso J, Yip B, Huang L, Schnitzer T, Apkarian AV. Chronic pain domains and their relationship to personality, abilities, and brain networks. Pain 2023; 164:59-71. [PMID: 35612403 PMCID: PMC9582040 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002657] [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: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Chronic pain is a multidimensional pathological state. Recent evidence suggests that specific brain properties and patients' psychological and physical traits are distorted in chronic pain patients. However, the relationship between these alterations and pain dimensions remains poorly understood. Here, we first evaluated multiple dimensions of chronic pain by assessing a broad battery of pain-related questionnaire scores (23 outcomes) of 107 chronic low back pain patients and identified 3 distinct chronic pain domains: magnitude, affect & disability, and quality. Second, we investigated the pain domains relationship with measures of personality, social interaction, psychological traits, and ability traits (77 biopsychosocial & ability [biopsy&ab] outcomes). Pain magnitude (out-of-sample [OOS]
) is associated with emotional control, attention, and working memory, with higher pain scores showing lower capacity to regulate and adapt behaviorally. Pain affect & disability (OOS
associated with anxiety, catastrophizing and social relationships dysfunction. Pain quality did not relate significantly to biopsy&ab variables. Third, we mapped these 3 pain domains to brain functional connectivity. Pain magnitude mainly associated with the sensorimotor and the cingulo-opercular networks (OOS
). Pain affect & disability related to frontoparietal and default mode networks (OOS
. Pain quality integrated sensorimotor, auditory, and cingulo-opercular networks (OOS
). Mediation analysis could link functional connectivity and biopsy&ab models to respective pain domains. Our results provide a global overview of the complexity of chronic pain, showing how underlying distinct domains of the experience map to different biopsy&ab correlates and underlie unique brain network signatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Bonin Pinto
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jannis Bielefeld
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Joana Barroso
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Byron Yip
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
| | - Lejian Huang
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Thomas Schnitzer
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Anesthesiology, and
- Medicine (Rheumatology), Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - A Vania Apkarian
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Translational Pain Research, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Anesthesiology, and
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Alhajri N, Boudreau SA, Graven-Nielsen T. Decreased Default Mode Network Connectivity Following 24 Hours of Capsaicin-induced Pain Persists During Immediate Pain Relief and Facilitation. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2022; 24:796-811. [PMID: 36521671 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Prolonged experimental pain models can help assess cortical mechanisms underlying the transition from acute to chronic pain such as resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), especially in early stages. This crossover study determined the effects of 24-hour-capsaicin-induced pain on the default mode network rsFC, a major network in the dynamic pain connectome. Electroencephalographic rsFC measured by Granger causality was acquired from 24 healthy volunteers (12 women) at baseline, 1hour, and 24hours following the application of a control or capsaicin patch on the right forearm. The control patch was received maximum 1 week before the capsaicin patch. Following 24hours, the patch was cooled and later heated to assess rsFC changes in response to pain relief and facilitation, respectively. Compared to baseline, decreased rsFC at alpha oscillations (8-10Hz) was found following 1hour and 24hours of capsaicin application for connections projecting from medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and right angular gyrus (rAG) but not left angular gyrus (lAG) or posterior cingulate cortex (PCC): mPFC-PCC (1hour:P < .001, 24hours:P = .002), mPFC-rAG (1hour:P < .001, 24hours:P = .001), rAG-mPFC (1hour:P < .001, 24hours:P = .001), rAG-PCC (1hour:P < .001, 24hours:P = .004). Comparable decreased rsFC following 1hour and 24hours (P≤0.008) was found at beta oscillations, however, decreased projections from PCC were also found: PCC-rAG (P≤0.005) and PCC-lAG (P≤0.006). Pain NRS scores following 24hours (3.7±0.4) was reduced by cooling (0.3±0.1, P = .004) and increased by heating (4.8±0.6, P = .016). However, neither cooling nor heating altered rsFC. This study shows that 24hours of experimental pain induces a robust decrease in DMN connectivity that persists during pain relief or facilitation suggesting a possible shift to attentional and emotional processing in persistent pain. PERSPECTIVE: This article shows decreased DMN connectivity that might reflect possible attentional and emotional changes during acute and prolonged pain. Understanding these changes could potentially help clinicians in developing therapeutic methods that can better target these attentional and emotional processes before developing into more persistent states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Najah Alhajri
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Shellie Ann Boudreau
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Thomas Graven-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Yarns BC, Zhu TA, Najafian Jazi A. Chronic Pain in Older Adults: A Neuroscience-Based Psychological Assessment and Treatment Approach. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2022; 30:1342-1350. [PMID: 35999127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain remains a serious healthcare challenge, particularly for older adults who suffer substantial disability and are susceptible to serious risks from pain medications and invasive procedures. Psychotherapy is a promising option for older adults with chronic pain, since it does not contribute to medical or surgical risks. However, standard psychotherapies for chronic pain, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions, produce only modest and time-limited benefits for older adults. In this article, we describe a novel, evidence-based psychological assessment and treatment approach for older adults with chronic pain, including a detailed case example. The approach begins with reviewing patients' pain, psychosocial, and medical histories to elicit evidence of a subtype of chronic pain called centralized (primary, nociplastic, or psychophysiologic) pain, which is highly influenced and may even be caused by life stress, emotions, and alterations in brain function. Patients then undertake a novel psychotherapy approach called emotional awareness and expression therapy (EAET) that aims to reduce or eliminate centralized pain by resolving trauma and emotional conflicts and learning healthy communication of adaptive emotions. Our published preliminary clinical trial (n = 53) indicated that EAET produced statistically significant and large effect size advantages over CBT in pain reduction and marginally greater improvements in pain interference than CBT for older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Geriatric mental healthcare providers may learn this assessment and treatment approach to benefit many of their patients with chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon C Yarns
- Department of Psychiatry/Mental Health (BCY,TAZ,ANJ), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine (BCY,TAZ,ANJ), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA.
| | - Tongtong A Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry/Mental Health (BCY,TAZ,ANJ), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine (BCY,TAZ,ANJ), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA
| | - Ali Najafian Jazi
- Department of Psychiatry/Mental Health (BCY,TAZ,ANJ), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine (BCY,TAZ,ANJ), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wei X, Wang L, Yu F, Lee C, Liu N, Ren M, Tu J, Zhou H, Shi G, Wang X, Liu CZ. Identifying the neural marker of chronic sciatica using multimodal neuroimaging and machine learning analyses. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1036487. [PMID: 36532276 PMCID: PMC9748090 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1036487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sciatica is a pain disorder often caused by the herniated disk compressing the lumbosacral nerve roots. Neuroimaging studies have identified functional abnormalities in patients with chronic sciatica (CS). However, few studies have investigated the neural marker of CS using brain structure and the classification value of multidimensional neuroimaging features in CS patients is unclear. METHODS Here, structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was acquired for 34 CS patients and 36 matched healthy controls (HCs). We analyzed cortical surface area, cortical thickness, amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), regional homogeneity (REHO), between-regions functional connectivity (FC), and assessed the correlation between neuroimaging measures and clinical scores. Finally, the multimodal neuroimaging features were used to differentiate the CS patients and HC individuals by support vector machine (SVM) algorithm. RESULTS Compared to HC, CS patients had a larger cortical surface area in the right banks of the superior temporal sulcus and rostral anterior cingulate; higher ALFF value in the left inferior frontal gyrus; enhanced FCs between somatomotor and ventral attention network. Three FCs values were associated with clinical pain scores. Furthermore, the three multimodal neuroimaging features with significant differences between groups and the SVM algorithm could classify CS patients and HC with an accuracy of 90.00%. DISCUSSION Together, our findings revealed extensive reorganization of local functional properties, surface area, and network metrics in CS patients. The success of patient identification highlights the potential of using artificial intelligence and multimodal neuroimaging markers in chronic pain research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Wei
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture- Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Liqiong Wang
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture- Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fangting Yu
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture- Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chihkai Lee
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture- Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ni Liu
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Mengmeng Ren
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianfeng Tu
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture- Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Zhou
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture- Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guangxia Shi
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture- Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Cun-Zhi Liu
- International Acupuncture and Moxibustion Innovation Institute, School of Acupuncture- Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Raisian D, Erfanparast A, Tamaddonfard E, Soltanalinejad-Taghiabad F. Medial prefrontal cortex nitric oxide modulates neuropathic pain behavior through mu opioid receptors in rats. Korean J Pain 2022; 35:413-422. [PMID: 36175340 PMCID: PMC9530686 DOI: 10.3344/kjp.2022.35.4.413] [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: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The neocortex, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), contains many neurons expressing nitric oxide synthase (NOS). In addition, increasing evidence shows that the nitric oxide (NO) and opioid systems interact in the brain. However, there have been no studies on the interaction of the opioid and NO systems in the mPFC. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of administrating L-arginine (L-Arg, a precursor of NO) and N(gamma)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, an inhibitor of NOS) into the mPFC for neuropathic pain in rats. Also, we used selective opioid receptor antagonists to clarify the possible participation of the opioid mechanism. Methods Complete transection of the peroneal and tibial branches of the sciatic nerve was applied to induce neuropathic pain, and seven days later, the mPFC was cannulated bilaterally. The paw withdrawal threshold fifty percent (50% PWT) was recorded on the 14th day. Results Microinjection of L-Arg (2.87, 11.5 and 45.92 nmol per 0.25 µL) increased 50% PWT. L-NAME (17.15 nmol per 0.25 µL) and naloxonazine (an antagonist of mu opioid receptors, 1.54 nmol per 0.25 µL) inhibited anti-allodynia induced by L-Arg (45.92 nmol per 0.25 µL). Naltrindole (a delta opioid receptor antagonist, 2.45 nmol per 0.25 µL) and nor-binaltorphimine (a kappa opioid receptor antagonist, 1.36 nmol per 0.25 µL) were unable to prevent L-Arg (45.92 nmol per 0.25 µL)-induced antiallodynia. Conclusions Our results indicate that the NO system in the mPFC regulates neuropathic pain. Mu opioid receptors of this area might participate in pain relief caused by L-Arg.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorsa Raisian
- DVM Graduate, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Amir Erfanparast
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Esmaeal Tamaddonfard
- Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Adhia DB, Mani R, Reynolds JN, Hall M, Vanneste S, De Ridder D. High-Definition Transcranial Infraslow Pink-Noise Stimulation Can Influence Functional and Effective Cortical Connectivity in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study. Neuromodulation 2022:S1094-7159(22)01225-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.08.450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
22
|
Mackey S, Gilam G, Darnall B, Goldin P, Kong JT, Law C, Heirich M, Karayannis N, Kao MC, Tian L, Manber R, Gross J. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acupuncture in Chronic Low Back Pain: Protocol for Two Linked Randomized Controlled Trials. JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e37823. [PMID: 36166279 PMCID: PMC9555327 DOI: 10.2196/37823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonpharmacologic mind-body therapies have demonstrated efficacy in low back pain. However, the mechanisms underlying these therapies remain to be fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE In response to these knowledge gaps, the Stanford Center for Low Back Pain-a collaborative, National Institutes of Health P01-funded, multidisciplinary research center-was established to investigate the common and distinct biobehavioral mechanisms of three mind-body therapies for chronic low back pain: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is used to treat pain, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and electroacupuncture. Here, we describe the design and implementation of the center structure and the associated randomized controlled trials for characterizing the mechanisms of chronic low back pain treatments. METHODS The multidisciplinary center is running two randomized controlled trials that share common resources for recruitment, enrollment, study execution, and data acquisition. We expect to recruit over 300 chronic low back pain participants across two projects and across different treatment arms within each project. The first project will examine pain-CBT compared with MBSR and a wait-list control group. The second project will examine real versus sham electroacupuncture. We will use behavioral, psychophysical, physical measure, and neuroimaging techniques to characterize the central pain modulatory and emotion regulatory systems in chronic low back pain at baseline and longitudinally. We will characterize how these interventions impact these systems, characterize the longitudinal treatment effects, and identify predictors of treatment efficacy. RESULTS Participant recruitment began on March 17, 2015, and will end in March 2023. Recruitment was halted in March 2020 due to COVID-19 and resumed in December 2021. CONCLUSIONS This center uses a comprehensive approach to study chronic low back pain. Findings are expected to significantly advance our understanding in (1) the baseline and longitudinal mechanisms of chronic low back pain, (2) the common and distinctive mechanisms of three mind-body therapies, and (3) predictors of treatment response, thereby informing future delivery of nonpharmacologic chronic low back pain treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02503475; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02503475. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/37823.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean Mackey
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Gadi Gilam
- The Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Beth Darnall
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Philippe Goldin
- Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Jiang-Ti Kong
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Christine Law
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Marissa Heirich
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Nicholas Karayannis
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Ming-Chih Kao
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Lu Tian
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Rachel Manber
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - James Gross
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Miao J, Ailes I, Krisa L, Fleming K, Middleton D, Talekar K, Natale P, Mohamed FB, Hines K, Matias CM, Alizadeh M. Case report: The promising application of dynamic functional connectivity analysis on an individual with failed back surgery syndrome. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:987223. [PMID: 36213747 PMCID: PMC9537947 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.987223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), a chronic neuropathic pain condition, is a common indication for spinal cord stimulation (SCS). However, the mechanisms of SCS, especially its effects on supraspinal/brain functional connectivity, are still not fully understood. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) studies have shown characteristics in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP). In this case study, we performed rsfMRI scanning (3.0 T) on an FBSS patient, who presented with chronic low back and leg pain following her previous lumbar microdiscectomy and had undergone permanent SCS. Appropriate MRI safety measures were undertaken to scan this subject. Seed-based functional connectivity (FC) was performed on the rsfMRI data acquired from the FBSS subject, and then compared to a group of 17 healthy controls. Seeds were identified by an atlas of resting state networks (RSNs), which is composed of 32 regions grouped into 8 networks. Sliding-window method and k-means clustering were used in dynamic FC analysis, which resulted in 4 brain states for each group. Our results demonstrated the safety and feasibility of 3T MRI scanning in a patient with implanted SCS system. Compared to the brain states of healthy controls, the FBSS subject presented very different FC patterns in less frequent brain states. The mean dwell time of brain states showed distinct distributions: the FBSS subject seemed to prefer a single state over the others. Although future studies with large sample sizes are needed to make statistical conclusions, our findings demonstrated the promising application of dynamic FC to provide more granularity with FC changes associated with different brain states in chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingya Miao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jingya Miao,
| | - Isaiah Ailes
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Laura Krisa
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kristen Fleming
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Devon Middleton
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kiran Talekar
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Peter Natale
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Feroze B. Mohamed
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kevin Hines
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Caio M. Matias
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mahdi Alizadeh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhang P, Wan X, Ai K, Zheng W, Liu G, Wang J, Huang W, Fan F, Yao Z, Zhang J. Rich-club reorganization and related network disruptions are associated with the symptoms and severity in classic trigeminal neuralgia patients. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 36:103160. [PMID: 36037660 PMCID: PMC9434131 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103160] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in white matter microstructure and functional activity have been demonstrated to be involved in the central nervous system mechanism of classic trigeminal neuralgia (CTN). However, the rich-club organization and related topological alterations in the CTN brain networks remain unclear. METHODS We simultaneously collected diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data from 29 patients with CTN (9 males, mean age = 54.59 years) and 34 matched healthy controls (HCs) (12 males, mean age = 54.97 years) to construct structural networks (SNs) and functional networks (FNs). Rich-club organization was determined separately based on each group's SN and different kinds of connections. For both network types, we calculated the basic connectivity properties (network density and strength) and topological properties (global/local/nodal efficiency and small worldness). Moreover, SN-FN coupling was obtained. The relationships between all those properties and clinical measures were evaluated. RESULTS Compared to their FN, the SN of CTN patients was disrupted more severely, including its topological properties (reduced network efficiency and small-worldness), and a decrease in network density and strength was observed. Patients showed reorganization of the rich-club architecture, wherein the nodes with decreased nodal efficiency in the SN were mainly non-hub regions, and the local connections were closely related to altered global efficiency and whole brain coupling. While the cortical-subcortical connections of feeder were found to be strengthened in the SN of patients, the coupling between networks increased in all types of connections. Finally, disease severity (duration, pain intensity, and affective alterations) was negatively correlated with coupling (rich-club, feeder, and whole brain) and network strength (the rich-club of the SN and local connections of the FN). A positive correlation was only found between pain intensity and the coupling of local connections. CONCLUSIONS The SN of patients with CTN may be more vulnerable. Accompanied by the reorganization of the rich-club, the less efficient network communication and the impaired functional dynamics were largely attributable to the dysfunction of non-hub regions. As compensation, the pain transmission pathway of feeder connections involving in pain processing and emotional regulation may strengthen. The local and feeder sub-networks may serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Zhang
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China,Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xinyue Wan
- Department of Radiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Kai Ai
- Philips, Healthcare, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Weihao Zheng
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Guangyao Liu
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China,Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China,Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wenjing Huang
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China,Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Fengxian Fan
- Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhijun Yao
- Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China,Corresponding authors at: Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, No. 222 South Tianshui Road, Lanzhou 730000, China (Z. Yao). Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Cuiyingmen No.82, Chengguan District, Lanzhou 730030, China (J. Zhang).
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, China,Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging, Lanzhou 730030, China,Corresponding authors at: Gansu Provincial Key Laboratory of Wearable Computing, School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, No. 222 South Tianshui Road, Lanzhou 730000, China (Z. Yao). Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Cuiyingmen No.82, Chengguan District, Lanzhou 730030, China (J. Zhang).
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Liu LY, Li X, Tian ZL, Zhang Q, Shen ZF, Wei W, Guo XL, Chen L, Su MH, Yang L, Yu SY, Yang J. Acupuncture modulates the frequency-specific functional connectivity density in primary dysmenorrhea. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:917721. [PMID: 36051643 PMCID: PMC9426343 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.917721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe study aimed to investigate how acupuncture modulates brain activities across multiple frequency bands to achieve therapeutic effects in PDM.MethodsA total of 47 patients with PDM were randomly assigned to the verum acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group with three menstrual cycles of the acupuncture course. The fMRI scans, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and other clinical evaluations were assessed at baseline and after three menstrual-cycles treatments. The global functional connectivity density (gFCD) analyses were performed between the pre-and post-acupuncture course of two groups at full-low frequency band, Slow-3 band, Slow-4 band, and Slow-5 band.ResultsAfter the acupuncture treatments, the patients with PDM in the verum acupuncture group showed significantly decreased VAS scores (p < 0.05). The frequency-dependent gFCD alternations were found in the verum acupuncture group, altered regions including DLPFC, somatosensory cortex, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), middle cingulate cortex (MCC), precuneus, hippocampus, and insula. The sham acupuncture modulated regions including angular gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and hippocampus. The gFCD alternation in DLPFC at the Slow-5 band was negatively in the patients with PDM following verum acupuncture, and S2 at the Slow-4 band was positively correlated with VAS scores.ConclusionThese findings supported that verum acupuncture could effectively modulate frequency-dependent gFCD in PDM by influencing abnormal DLPFC at Slow-5 band and hippocampus at the Slow-3 band. The outcome of this study may shed light on enhancing the potency of acupuncture in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ying Liu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zi-Lei Tian
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi-Fu Shen
- Department of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Chengdu Xinan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao-Li Guo
- Chengdu Xinan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Meng-Hua Su
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Si-Yi Yu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Si-Yi Yu,
| | - Jie Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Chengdu Xinan Gynecological Hospital, Chengdu, China
- Jie Yang,
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Masoumbeigi M, Alam NR, Kordi R, Rostami M, Afzali M, Yadollahi M, Rahimiforoushani A, Jafari AH, Hashemi H, Kavousi M. rTMS Pain Reduction Effectiveness in Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain Patients using rs-fMRI Functional Connectivity. J Med Biol Eng 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40846-022-00721-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
|
27
|
Baran TM, Lin FV, Geha P. Functional brain mapping in patients with chronic back pain shows age-related differences. Pain 2022; 163:e917-e926. [PMID: 34799532 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Low back pain is the most common pain condition and cause for disability in older adults. Older adults suffering from low back pain are more disabled than their healthy peers, are more predisposed to frailty, and tend to be undertreated. The cause of increased prevalence and severity of this chronic pain condition in older adults is unknown. Here, we draw on accumulating data demonstrating a critical role for brain limbic and sensory circuitries in the emergence and experience of chronic low back pain (CLBP) and the availability of resting-state brain activity data collected at different sites to study how brain activity patterns predictive of CLBP differ between age groups. We apply a data-driven multivariate searchlight analysis to amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation brain maps to classify patients with CLBP with >70% accuracy. We observe that the brain activity pattern including the paracingulate gyrus, insula/secondary somatosensory area, inferior frontal, temporal, and fusiform gyrus predicted CLBP. When separated by age groups, brain patterns predictive of older patients with CLBP showed extensive involvement of limbic brain areas including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus, whereas only anterior insula paracingulate and fusiform gyrus predicted CLBP in the younger patients. In addition, we validated the relationships between back pain intensity ratings and CLBP brain activity patterns in an independent data set not included in our initial patterns' identification. Our results are the first to directly address how aging affects the neural signature of CLBP and point to an increased role of limbic brain areas in older patients with CLBP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Baran
- Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Feng V Lin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Paul Geha
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ha G, Tian Z, Chen J, Wang S, Luo A, Liu Y, Tang J, Lai N, Zeng F, Lan L. Coordinate-based (ALE) meta-analysis of acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:906875. [PMID: 35937886 PMCID: PMC9354890 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.906875] [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: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuroimaging studies have been widely used to investigate brain regions' alterations in musculoskeletal pain patients. However, inconsistent results have hindered our understanding of the central modulatory effects of acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain. The main objective of our investigation has been to obtain comprehensive evidence of acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain diseases. Methods The PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine disc Database, Clinical Trial Registration Platform, and Wanfang Database were searched for neuroimaging studies on musculoskeletal pain diseases published from inception up to November 2021. Then, the relevant literature was screened to extract the coordinates that meet the criteria. Finally, the coordinate-based meta-analysis was performed using the activation likelihood estimation algorithm. Results A total of 15 neuroimaging studies with 183 foci of activation were included in this study. The ALE meta-analysis revealed activated clusters in multiple cortical and sub-cortical brain structures in response to acupuncture across studies, including the thalamus, insula, caudate, claustrum, and lentiform nucleus. Conclusions The studies showed that acupuncture could modulate different brain regions, including the thalamus, insula, caudate, claustrum, and lentiform nucleus. The findings offer several insights into the potential mechanisms of acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain and provide a possible explanation for the observed clinical benefit of this therapy. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=227850, identifier: CRD42021227850.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Ha
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zilei Tian
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiyao Chen
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Aga Luo
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunyu Liu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Tang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ningyuan Lai
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fang Zeng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Acupuncture and Chronobiology, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Lan
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Li H, Li X, Wang J, Gao F, Wiech K, Hu L, Kong Y. Pain-related reorganization in the primary somatosensory cortex of patients with postherpetic neuralgia. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:5167-5179. [PMID: 35751551 PMCID: PMC9812237 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on functional and structural changes in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) have provided important insights into neural mechanisms underlying several chronic pain conditions. However, the role of S1 plasticity in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) remains elusive. Combining psychophysics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we investigated whether pain in PHN patients is linked to S1 reorganization as compared with healthy controls. Results from voxel-based morphometry showed no structural differences between groups. To characterize functional plasticity, we compared S1 responses to noxious laser stimuli of a fixed intensity between both groups and assessed the relationship between S1 activation and spontaneous pain in PHN patients. Although the intensity of evoked pain was comparable in both groups, PHN patients exhibited greater activation in S1 ipsilateral to the stimulated hand. Pain-related activity was identified in contralateral superior S1 (SS1) in controls as expected, but in bilateral inferior S1 (IS1) in PHN patients with no overlap between SS1 and IS1. Contralateral SS1 engaged during evoked pain in controls encoded spontaneous pain in patients, suggesting functional S1 reorganization in PHN. Resting-state fMRI data showed decreased functional connectivity between left and right SS1 in PHN patients, which scaled with the intensity of spontaneous pain. Finally, multivariate pattern analyses (MVPA) demonstrated that BOLD activity and resting-state functional connectivity of S1 predicted within-subject variations of evoked and spontaneous pain intensities across groups. In summary, functional reorganization in S1 might play a key role in chronic pain related to PHN and could be a potential treatment target in this patient group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral ScienceInstitute of PsychologyBeijingChina,Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoyun Li
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina,CAS Key Laboratory of Mental HealthInstitute of PsychologyBeijingChina
| | - Jiyuan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral ScienceInstitute of PsychologyBeijingChina,Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Fei Gao
- Department of Pain MedicinePeking University People's HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Katja Wiech
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN), Nuffield Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of Oxford, John Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
| | - Li Hu
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina,CAS Key Laboratory of Mental HealthInstitute of PsychologyBeijingChina
| | - Yazhuo Kong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral ScienceInstitute of PsychologyBeijingChina,Department of PsychologyUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN), Nuffield Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of Oxford, John Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Adhia DB, Mani R, Reynolds JNJ, Vanneste S, De Ridder D. High-definition transcranial infraslow pink noise stimulation for chronic low back pain: protocol for a pilot, safety and feasibility randomised placebo-controlled trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056842. [PMID: 35705354 PMCID: PMC9204463 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common disabling health condition. Current treatments demonstrate modest effects, warranting newer therapies. Brain imaging demonstrates altered electrical activities in cortical areas responsible for pain modulation, emotional and sensory components of pain experience. Treatments targeting to change electrical activities of these key brain regions may produce clinical benefits. This pilot study aims to (1) evaluate feasibility, safety and acceptability of a novel neuromodulation technique, high-definition transcranial infraslow pink noise stimulation (HD-tIPNS), in people with CLBP, (2) explore the trend of effect of HD-tIPNS on pain and function, and (3) derive treatment estimates to support sample size calculation for a fully powered trial should trends of effectiveness be present. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A pilot, triple-blinded randomised two-arm placebo-controlled parallel trial. Participants (n=40) with CLBP will be randomised to either sham stimulation or HD-tIPNS (targeting somatosensory cortex and dorsal and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex). Primary outcomes include feasibility and safety measures, and clinical outcomes of pain (Brief Pain Inventory) and disability (Roland-Morris disability questionnaire). Secondary measures include clinical, psychological, quantitative sensory testing and electroencephalography collected at baseline, immediately postintervention, and at 1-week, 1-month and 3 months postintervention. All data will be analysed descriptively. A nested qualitative study will assess participants perceptions about acceptability of intervention and analysed thematically. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been obtained from Health and Disability Ethics Committee (Ref:20/NTB/67). Findings will be reported to regulatory and funding bodies, presented at conferences, and published in a scientific journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ACTRN12620000505909p.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Divya Bharatkumar Adhia
- Department of Surgical Sciences, and Pain@Otago Research Theme, University of Otago - Dunedin Campus, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ramakrishnan Mani
- Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, and Pain@Otago Research Theme, University of Otago - Dunedin Campus, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - John N J Reynolds
- Department of Anatomy and the Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago - Dunedin Campus, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sven Vanneste
- School of Psychology, Global Brain Health Institute, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dirk De Ridder
- Department of Surgical Sciences, and Pain@Otago Research Theme, University of Otago - Dunedin Campus, Dunedin, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhang F, Li F, Yang H, Jin Y, Lai W, Kemp GJ, Jia Z, Gong Q. Altered Brain Topological Property Associated With Anxiety in Experimental Orthodontic Pain. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:907216. [PMID: 35645708 PMCID: PMC9132585 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.907216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Orthodontic pain is orofacial pain caused by tooth movement. Anxiety is a strong predictor of the severity of such pain, but little is known about the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms of such effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of orthodontic pain on brain functional networks and to define the mediating role of anxiety in orthodontic pain and brain function. Methods Graph theory-based network analyses were applied to brain functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 48 healthy participants exposed to 24 h orthodontic pain stimuli and 49 healthy controls without any stimulation. Results In the experimental orthodontic pain stimulation, brain functional networks retained a small-world organization. At the regional level, the nodal centrality of ipsilateral brain nodes to the pain stimulus was enhanced; in contrast the nodal centrality of contralateral brain areas was decreased, especially the right mid-cingulate cortex, which is involved in pain intensity coding. Furthermore, anxiety mediated the relationship between nodal efficiency of mid-cingulate cortex and pain severity. Conclusion The results illuminate the neural mechanisms of orthodontic pain by revealing unbalanced hemispherical brain function related to the unilateral pain stimulation, and reveal clinically exploitable evidence that anxiety mediates the relationship between nodal function of right mid-cingulate cortex and orthodontic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Radiology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenli Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Department of Orthodontics, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Graham J. Kemp
- Liverpool Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre (LiMRIC) and Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Zhiyun Jia
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiyun Jia,
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Department of Radiology, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Xu J, Xie H, Liu L, Shen Z, Yang L, Wei W, Guo X, Liang F, Yu S, Yang J. Brain Mechanism of Acupuncture Treatment of Chronic Pain: An Individual-Level Positron Emission Tomography Study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:884770. [PMID: 35585847 PMCID: PMC9108276 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.884770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveAcupuncture has been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic pain. However, their neural mechanism underlying the effective acupuncture response to chronic pain is still unclear. We investigated whether metabolic patterns in the pain matrix network might predict acupuncture therapy responses in patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) using a machine-learning-based multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) on positron emission tomography data (PET).MethodsForty-two patients with PDM were selected and randomized into two groups: real acupuncture and sham acupuncture (three menstrual cycles). Brain metabolic data from the three special brain networks (the sensorimotor network (SMN), default mode network (DMN), and salience network (SN)) were extracted at the individual level by using PETSurfer in fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) data. MVPA analysis based on metabolic network features was employed to predict the pain relief after treatment in the pooled group and real acupuncture treatment, separately.ResultsPaired t-tests revealed significant alterations in pain intensity after real but not sham acupuncture treatment. Traditional mass-univariate correlations between brain metabolic and alterations in pain intensity were not significant. The MVPA results showed that the brain metabolic pattern in the DMN and SMN did predict the pain relief in the pooled group of patients with PDM (R2 = 0.25, p = 0.005). In addition, the metabolic pattern in the DMN could predict the pain relief after treatment in the real acupuncture treatment group (R2 = 0.40, p = 0.01).ConclusionThis study indicates that the individual-level metabolic patterns in DMN is associated with real acupuncture treatment response in chronic pain. The present findings advanced the knowledge of the brain mechanism of the acupuncture treatment in chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Xu
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongjun Xie
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Liying Liu
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhifu Shen
- Department of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoli Guo
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fanrong Liang
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Siyi Yu
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Siyi Yu
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Yang
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Chen H, Dai L, Zhang Y, Feng L, Jiang Z, Wang X, Xie D, Guo J, Chen H, Wang J, Liu C. Network Reconfiguration Among Cerebellar Visual, and Motor Regions Affects Movement Function in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:773119. [PMID: 35478700 PMCID: PMC9036064 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.773119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a rare movement disorder characterized with ataxia. Previous studies on movement disorders show that the whole-brain functional network tends to be more regular, and these reconfigurations correlate with genetic and clinical variables. Methods To test whether the brain network in patients with SCA3 follows a similar reconfiguration course to other movement disorders, we recruited 41 patients with SCA3 (mean age = 40.51 ± 12.13 years; 23 male) and 41 age and sex-matched healthy individuals (age = 40.10 ± 11.56 years; 24 male). In both groups, the whole-brain network topology of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) was conducted using graph theory, and the relationships among network topologies, cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats, clinical symptoms, and functional connectivity were explored in SCA3 patients using partial correlation analysis, controlling for age and sex. Results The brain networks tended to be more regular with a higher clustering coefficient, local efficiency, and modularity in patients with SCA3. Hubs in SCA3 patients were reorganized as the number of hubs increased in motor-related areas and decreased in cognitive areas. At the global level, small-worldness and normalized clustering coefficients were significantly positively correlated with clinical motor symptoms. At the nodal level, the clustering coefficient and local efficiency increased significantly in the visual (bilateral cuneus) and sensorimotor (right cerebellar lobules IV, V, VI) networks and decreased in the cognitive areas (right middle frontal gyrus). The clustering coefficient and local efficiency in the bilateral cuneus gyrus were negatively correlated with clinical motor symptoms. The functional connectivity between right caudate nucleus and bilateral calcarine gyrus were negatively correlated with disease duration, while connectivity between right posterior cingulum gyrus and left cerebellar lobule III, left inferior occipital gyrus and right cerebellar lobule IX was positively correlated. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that a more regular brain network occurred in SCA3 patients, with motor and visual-related regions, such as, cerebellar lobules and cuneus gyrus, both forayed neighbor nodes as “resource predators” to compensate for normal function, with motor and visual function having the higher priority comparing with other high-order functions. This study provides new information about the neurological mechanisms underlying SCA3 network topology impairments in the resting state, which give a potential guideline for future clinical treatments. Clinical Trial Registration [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [ChiCTR1800019901].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Limeng Dai
- Department of Medical Genetics, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Liu Feng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xingang Wang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Dongjing Xie
- Department of Neurology, Xinqiao Hospital and The Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Huafu Chen
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Huafu Chen,
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Jian Wang,
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Radiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chen Liu,
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Moderates the Association between Sleep Quality and Dorsostriatal-Sensorimotor Resting State Functional Connectivity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Pain Res Manag 2022; 2022:4347759. [PMID: 35432664 PMCID: PMC9010216 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4347759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Aging is associated with poor sleep quality and greater chronic pain prevalence, with age-related changes in brain function as potential underlying mechanisms. Objective. The following cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether self-reported chronic musculoskeletal pain in community-dwelling older adults moderates the association between sleep quality and resting state functional brain connectivity (rsFC). Methods. Community-dwelling older individuals (mean age = 73.29 years) part of the NEPAL study who completed the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and a rsFC scan were included (n = 48) in the present investigation. To that end, we tested the effect of chronic pain-by-PSQI interaction on rsFC among atlas-based brain regions-of-interest, controlling for age and sex. Results and Discussion. A significant network connecting the bilateral putamen and left caudate with bilateral precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and juxtapositional lobule cortex, survived global multiple comparisons (FDR; q < 0.05) and threshold-free network-based-statistics. Greater PSQI scores were significantly associated with greater dorsostriatal-sensorimotor rsFC in the no-pain group, suggesting that a state of somatomotor hyperarousal may be associated with poorer sleep quality in this group. However, in the pain group, greater PSQI scores were associated with less dorsostriatal-sensorimotor rsFC, possibly due to a shift of striatal functions toward regulation sensorimotor aspects of the pain experience, and/or aberrant cortico-striatal loops in the presence of chronic pain. This preliminary investigation advances knowledge about the neurobiology underlying the associations between chronic pain and sleep in community-dwelling older adults that may contribute to the development of effective therapies to decrease disability in geriatric populations.
Collapse
|
35
|
Han X, Ashar YK, Kragel P, Petre B, Schelkun V, Atlas LY, Chang LJ, Jepma M, Koban L, Losin EAR, Roy M, Woo CW, Wager TD. Effect sizes and test-retest reliability of the fMRI-based neurologic pain signature. Neuroimage 2022; 247:118844. [PMID: 34942367 PMCID: PMC8792330 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying biomarkers that predict mental states with large effect sizes and high test-retest reliability is a growing priority for fMRI research. We examined a well-established multivariate brain measure that tracks pain induced by nociceptive input, the Neurologic Pain Signature (NPS). In N = 295 participants across eight studies, NPS responses showed a very large effect size in predicting within-person single-trial pain reports (d = 1.45) and medium effect size in predicting individual differences in pain reports (d = 0.49). The NPS showed excellent short-term (within-day) test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.84, with average 69.5 trials/person). Reliability scaled with the number of trials within-person, with ≥60 trials required for excellent test-retest reliability. Reliability was tested in two additional studies across 5-day (N = 29, ICC = 0.74, 30 trials/person) and 1-month (N = 40, ICC = 0.46, 5 trials/person) test-retest intervals. The combination of strong within-person correlations and only modest between-person correlations between the NPS and pain reports indicate that the two measures have different sources of between-person variance. The NPS is not a surrogate for individual differences in pain reports but can serve as a reliable measure of pain-related physiology and mechanistic target for interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Han
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
| | - Yoni K Ashar
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | | | | | | | - Lauren Y Atlas
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Mathieu Roy
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Choong-Wan Woo
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Tor D Wager
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
At the Intersection of Anger, Chronic Pain, and the Brain: A Mini-Review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104558. [PMID: 35122780 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain remains one of the most persistent healthcare challenges in the world. To advance pain treatment, experts have recently introduced research-driven subtypes of chronic pain based on proposed underlying mechanisms. Nociplastic pain (e.g., nonspecific chronic low back or fibromyalgia) is one such subtype which may involve a greater etiologic role for brain plasticity, painful emotions induced by life stress and trauma, and unhealthy emotion regulation. In particular, correlational and behavioral data link anger and the ways anger is regulated with the presence and severity of nociplastic pain. Functional neuroimaging studies also suggest nociplastic pain and healthy anger regulation demonstrate inverse patterns of activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala; thus, improving anger regulation could normalize activity in these regions. In this Mini-Review, we summarize these findings and propose a unified, biobehavioral model called the Anger, Brain, and Nociplastic Pain (AB-NP) Model, which can be tested in future research and may advance pain care by informing new treatments that address anger, anger regulation, and brain plasticity for nociplastic pain.
Collapse
|
37
|
Zhang Z, Gewandter JS, Geha P. Brain Imaging Biomarkers for Chronic Pain. Front Neurol 2022; 12:734821. [PMID: 35046881 PMCID: PMC8763372 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.734821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of chronic pain has reached epidemic levels. In addition to personal suffering chronic pain is associated with psychiatric and medical co-morbidities, notably substance misuse, and a huge a societal cost amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars annually in medical cost, lost wages, and productivity. Chronic pain does not have a cure or quantitative diagnostic or prognostic tools. In this manuscript we provide evidence that this situation is about to change. We first start by summarizing our current understanding of the role of the brain in the pathogenesis of chronic pain. We particularly focus on the concept of learning in the emergence of chronic pain, and the implication of the limbic brain circuitry and dopaminergic signaling, which underly emotional learning and decision making, in this process. Next, we summarize data from our labs and from other groups on the latest brain imaging findings in different chronic pain conditions focusing on results with significant potential for translation into clinical applications. The gaps in the study of chronic pain and brain imaging are highlighted in throughout the overview. Finally, we conclude by discussing the costs and benefits of using brain biomarkers of chronic pain and compare to other potential markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhengwu Zhang
- Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jennifer S Gewandter
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Paul Geha
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States.,Del Monte Neuroscience Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kinugawa K, Mano T, Yamatani Y, Miyasaka T, Kataoka H, Sugie K. Pain-Related Abnormal Neuronal Synchronization of the Nucleus Accumbens in Parkinson’s Disease. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12010084. [PMID: 35053828 PMCID: PMC8773786 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12010084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often experience pain, which fluctuates in “on” and “off” states, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a central component of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway involved in pain processing. We conducted resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) analysis to explore the relationship between the neuronal synchronization of NAc with pain-related brain regions and pain intensity in “on” and “off” states. We assessed 23 patients with sporadic PD based on rsfMRI and pain intensity using the revised Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire. Patients with PD displayed higher pain intensity scores in the “off” state than in the “on” state. The pain intensity in the “off” state was substantially correlated with the functional connectivity (FC) between the NAc and primary motor/sensory cortices and contralateral NAc. Changes in pain intensity from the “on” to “off” state displayed correlations with those between the right (rNA) and left NAc (lNAc) and the right precentral gyrus (rPreCG) /right insular cortex (rIC) from the “off” to “on” state. Aberrant bilateral NAc and rNAc–rPreCG/rIC FC in the “off” state were closely related to pain symptoms developed from the “on” to “off” states. These results suggest that the NAc in the mesolimbic pathway is related to pain in PD and may help understand the mechanism of pain development in patients with PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru Kinugawa
- Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan; (K.K.); (H.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Tomoo Mano
- Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan; (K.K.); (H.K.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-744-22-3051
| | - Yuya Yamatani
- Division of Central Radiology, Nara Medical University Hospital, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan;
| | - Toshiteru Miyasaka
- Department of Radiology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan;
| | - Hiroshi Kataoka
- Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan; (K.K.); (H.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Kazuma Sugie
- Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara 634-8521, Japan; (K.K.); (H.K.); (K.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Zhang P, Jiang Y, Liu G, Han J, Wang J, Ma L, Hu W, Zhang J. Altered brain functional network dynamics in classic trigeminal neuralgia: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study. J Headache Pain 2021; 22:147. [PMID: 34895135 PMCID: PMC8903588 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-021-01354-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulating studies have indicated a wide range of brain alterations with respect to the structure and function of classic trigeminal neuralgia (CTN). Given the dynamic nature of pain experience, the exploration of temporal fluctuations in interregional activity covariance may enhance the understanding of pain processes in the brain. The present study aimed to characterize the temporal features of functional connectivity (FC) states as well as topological alteration in CTN. Methods Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and three-dimensional T1-weighted images were obtained from 41 CTN patients and 43 matched healthy controls (HCs). After group independent component analysis, sliding window based dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) analysis was applied to investigate specific FC states and related temporal properties. Then, the dynamics of the whole brain topological organization were estimated by calculating the coefficient of variation of graph-theoretical properties. Further correlation analyses were performed between all these measurements and clinical data. Results Two distinct states were identified. Of these, the state 2, characterized by complicated coupling between default mode network (DMN) and cognitive control network (CC) and tight connections within DMN, was expressed more in CTN patients and presented as increased fractional windows and dwell time. Moreover, patients switched less frequently between states than HCs. Regarding the dynamic topological analysis, disruptions in global graph-theoretical properties (including network efficiency and small-worldness) were observed in patients, coupled with decreased variability in nodal efficiency of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the salience network (SN) and the thalamus and caudate nucleus in the subcortical network (SC). The variation of topological properties showed negative correlation with disease duration and attack frequency. Conclusions The present study indicated disrupted flexibility of brain topological organization under persistent noxious stimulation and further highlighted the important role of “dynamic pain connectome” regions (including DMN/CC/SN) in the pathophysiology of CTN from the temporal fluctuation aspect. Additionally, the findings provided supplementary evidence for current knowledge about the aberrant cortical-subcortical interaction in pain development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10194-021-01354-z.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Zhang
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.,Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yanli Jiang
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.,Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Guangyao Liu
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.,Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jiao Han
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.,Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Laiyang Ma
- Second Clinical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.,Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Wanjun Hu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Magnetic Resonance, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China. .,Gansu Province Clinical Research Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging, Cuiyingmen No.82, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730030, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Enhanced Temporal Coupling between Thalamus and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Mediates Chronic Low Back Pain and Depression. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:7498714. [PMID: 34659398 PMCID: PMC8519723 DOI: 10.1155/2021/7498714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that the brain plasticity is associated with chronic low back pain (cLBP). However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the underlying mechanisms of thalamic pathways for chronic pain and psychological effects in cLBP caused by lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Combining psychophysics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we investigated the structural and functional brain plasticity in 36 patients with LDH compared with 38 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. We found that (1) LDH patients had increased psychophysical disturbs (i.e., depression and anxiety), and depression (Beck-Depression Inventory, BDI) was found to be an outstanding significant factor to predict chronic pain (short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, SF-MPQ); (2) the LDH group showed significantly smaller fractional anisotropy values in the region of posterior corona radiate while gray matter volumes were comparable in both groups; (3) resting state functional connectivity analysis revealed that LDH patients exhibited increased temporal coupling between the thalamus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which further mediate the relationship from chronic pain to depression. Our results emphasized that thalamic pathways underlying prefrontal cortex might play a key role in regulating chronic pain and depression of the pathophysiology of LDH.
Collapse
|
41
|
Abnormal within- and cross-networks functional connectivity in different outcomes of herpes zoster patients. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 16:366-378. [PMID: 34549378 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00510-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies have displayed aberrant brain activities in individual sensory- and emotional-linked regions in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) patients. However, multi-dimensional dysfunction in chronic pain may rely on the interplay between networks. Little is known about the changes in the functional architecture of resting state networks (RSNs) in PHN. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 31 PHN patients, 33 RHZ patients and 34 HCs; all participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. We investigated the differences of within- and cross-network connectivities between different outcomes of HZ patients [including PHN and recuperation from herpes zoster (RHZ)] and healthy controls (HCs) so as to extract a characteristic network pattern of PHN. The abnormal network connectivities were then correlated with clinical variables in respective groups. PHN and RHZ patients could be similarly characterized by abnormal within-default mode network (DMN), DMN-salience network (SN) and SN-basal ganglia network (BGN) connectivity relative to HCs. Of note, compared with RHZ patients, PHN patients could be characterized by abnormal DMN-BGN and within-BGN connectivity. Furthermore, the within-DMN connectivity was associated with pain-induced emotional scores among PHN patients. Our study presented that network-level imbalance could account for the pain-related dysfunctions in different outcomes of herpes zoster patients. These insights are potentially useful for understanding neuromechanism of PHN and providing central therapeutic targets for PHN.
Collapse
|
42
|
Kandić M, Moliadze V, Andoh J, Flor H, Nees F. Brain Circuits Involved in the Development of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Evidence From Non-invasive Brain Stimulation. Front Neurol 2021; 12:732034. [PMID: 34531819 PMCID: PMC8438114 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.732034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been well-documented that the brain changes in states of chronic pain. Less is known about changes in the brain that predict the transition from acute to chronic pain. Evidence from neuroimaging studies suggests a shift from brain regions involved in nociceptive processing to corticostriatal brain regions that are instrumental in the processing of reward and emotional learning in the transition to the chronic state. In addition, dysfunction in descending pain modulatory circuits encompassing the periaqueductal gray and the rostral anterior cingulate cortex may also be a key risk factor for pain chronicity. Although longitudinal imaging studies have revealed potential predictors of pain chronicity, their causal role has not yet been determined. Here we review evidence from studies that involve non-invasive brain stimulation to elucidate to what extent they may help to elucidate the brain circuits involved in pain chronicity. Especially, we focus on studies using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques [e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), particularly its repetitive form (rTMS), transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)] in the context of musculoskeletal pain chronicity. We focus on the role of the motor cortex because of its known contribution to sensory components of pain via thalamic inhibition, and the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex because of its role on cognitive and affective processing of pain. We will also discuss findings from studies using experimentally induced prolonged pain and studies implicating the DLPFC, which may shed light on the earliest transition phase to chronicity. We propose that combined brain stimulation and imaging studies might further advance mechanistic models of the chronicity process and involved brain circuits. Implications and challenges for translating the research on mechanistic models of the development of chronic pain to clinical practice will also be addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mina Kandić
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Vera Moliadze
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jamila Andoh
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
McPhee ME, Graven-Nielsen T. Medial Prefrontal High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Improve Pain Modulation in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Randomized Double-blinded Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2021; 22:952-967. [PMID: 33676009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is highly disabling, but often without identifiable source. Focus has been on impaired anti-nociceptive mechanisms contributing to pain maintenance, though methods of targeting this impairment remain limited. This randomised-controlled cross-over pilot trial used active versus sham medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) for 3-consecutive days to improve descending pain inhibitory function. Twelve CLBP patients were included with an average visual analogue scale (VAS) pain intensity of 3.0 ± 1.5 and pain duration of 5.3 ± 2.6 years. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), conditioned pain modulation (CPM), and temporal summation of pain (TSP) assessed by cuff algometry, as well as pain symptomatology (intensity, unpleasantness, quality, disability) and related psychological features (pain catastrophizing, anxiety, affect), were assessed on Day1 before 3 consecutive days of HD-tDCS sessions (each 20 minutes), at 24-hours (Day 4) and 2-weeks (Day 21) following final HD-tDCS. Blinding was successful. No significant differences in psychophysical (PPT, CPM, TSP), symptomatology or psychological outcomes were observed between active and sham HD-tDCS on Day4 and Day21. CPM-effects at Day 1 negatively correlated with change in CPM-effect at Day4 following active HD-tDCS (P = .002). Lack of efficacy was attributed to several factors, not least that patients did not display impaired CPM at baseline. TRIAL REGISTRATION: : ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03864822). PERSPECTIVE: Medial prefrontal HD-tDCS did not alter pain, psychological nor psychophysical outcomes, though correlational analysis suggested response may depend on baseline pain inhibitory efficacy, with best potential effects in patients with severe impairments in descending pain inhibitory mechanisms. Future work should focus on appropriate patient selection and optimising stimulation targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan E McPhee
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Aalborg University, Denmark
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Lamichhane B, Jayasekera D, Jakes R, Ray WZ, Leuthardt EC, Hawasli AH. Functional Disruptions of the Brain in Low Back Pain: A Potential Imaging Biomarker of Functional Disability. Front Neurol 2021; 12:669076. [PMID: 34335444 PMCID: PMC8317987 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.669076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic low back pain (LBP) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. While LBP research has largely focused on the spine, many studies have demonstrated a restructuring of human brain architecture accompanying LBP and other chronic pain states. Brain imaging presents a promising source for discovering noninvasive biomarkers that can improve diagnostic and prognostication outcomes for chronic LBP. This study evaluated graph theory measures derived from brain resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) as prospective noninvasive biomarkers of LBP. We also proposed and tested a hybrid feature selection method (Enet-subset) that combines Elastic Net and an optimal subset selection method. We collected resting-state functional MRI scans from 24 LBP patients and 27 age-matched healthy controls (HC). We then derived graph-theoretical features and trained a support vector machine (SVM) to classify patient group. The degree centrality (DC), clustering coefficient (CC), and betweenness centrality (BC) were found to be significant predictors of patient group. We achieved an average classification accuracy of 83.1% (p < 0.004) and AUC of 0.937 (p < 0.002), respectively. Similarly, we achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 87.0 and 79.7%. The classification results from this study suggest that graph matrices derived from rsFC can be used as biomarkers of LBP. In addition, our findings suggest that the proposed feature selection method, Enet-subset, might act as a better technique to remove redundant variables and improve the performance of the machine learning classifier.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bidhan Lamichhane
- Department of Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Dinal Jayasekera
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Rachel Jakes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Wilson Z Ray
- Department of Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Eric C Leuthardt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Ammar H Hawasli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Meritas Health Neurosurgery, North Kansas City, MO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Medial Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Aimed to Improve Affective and Attentional Modulation of Pain in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10040889. [PMID: 33671714 PMCID: PMC7926794 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10040889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is often without clear underlying pathology. Affective disturbance and dysfunctional pain mechanisms, commonly observed in populations with CLBP, have, therefore, been suggested as potential contributors to CLBP development and maintenance. However, little consensus exists on how these features interact and if they can be targeted using non-invasive brain stimulation. In this pilot trial, 12 participants completed two phases (Active or Sham) of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to the medial prefrontal cortex, applied for 20 min on three consecutive days. Clinical pain ratings, questionnaires, and sensitivity to painful cuff pressure were completed at baseline, then 4 trials of conditioned pain modulation (CPM; alone, with distraction using a Flanker task, with positive affect induction, and with negative affect induction using an image slideshow) were performed prior to HD-tDCS on Day 1 and Day 4 (24 h post-HD-tDCS). At baseline, attentional and affective manipulations were effective in inducing the desired state (p < 0.001) but did not significantly change the magnitude of CPM-effect. Active HD-tDCS was unable to significantly alter the magnitude of the shift in valence and arousal due to affective manipulations, nor did it alter the magnitude of CPM under any basal, attentional, or affective manipulation trial significantly on Day 4 compared to sham. The CPM-effect was greater across all manipulations on Day 1 than Day 4 (p < 0.02) but also showed poor reliability across days. Future work is needed to expand upon these findings and better understand how and if HD-tDCS can be used to enhance attentional and affective effects on pain modulation.
Collapse
|
46
|
Kong J, Huang Y, Liu J, Yu S, Ming C, Chen H, Wilson G, Harvey WF, Li W, Wang C. Altered functional connectivity between hypothalamus and limbic system in fibromyalgia. Mol Brain 2021; 14:17. [PMID: 33472674 PMCID: PMC7816461 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00705-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system and plays a crucial role in maintaining the human body's homeostasis. This study aims to investigate the resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) changes of the hypothalamus in fibromyalgia patients. 24 Fibromyalgia patients and 24 matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Resting state fMRI data were collected from the fibromyalgia patients and HC's. Fibromyalgia patients went through a second scan after 12 weeks of Tai Chi mind-body intervention. Data analysis showed that fibromyalgia patients displayed less medial hypothalamus (MH) rsFC with the thalamus and amygdala when compared to the functional connectivity in the HCs. After the Tai Chi mind-body intervention, fibromyalgia patients showed increased MH rsFC with the thalamus and amygdala accompanied by clinical improvement. Effective connectivity analysis showed disrupted MH and thalamus interaction in the fibromyalgia patients, which was altered by mind-body exercise. Our findings suggest that fibromyalgia is associated with altered functional connectivity within the diencephalon and limbic system. Elucidating the roles of the diencephalon and limbic system in the pathophysiology and development of fibromyalgia may facilitate the development of a new biomarker and effective treatment methods for this prevalent disorder.Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02407665. Registered: 3 April 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02407665?term=NCT02407665&draw=2&rank=1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
| | - Yiting Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Jiao Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Siyi Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Cheng Ming
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Helen Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Georgia Wilson
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - William F Harvey
- Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center / Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Chenchen Wang
- Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center / Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Zhang Y, Huang Y, Li H, Yan Z, Zhang Y, Liu X, Hou X, Chen W, Tu Y, Hodges S, Chen H, Liu B, Kong J. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) for migraine: an fMRI study. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020; 46:145-150. [PMID: 33262253 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2020-102088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysfunction of the thalamocortical connectivity network is thought to underlie the pathophysiology of the migraine. This current study aimed to explore the thalamocortical connectivity changes during 4 weeks of continuous transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) treatment on migraine patients. METHODS 70 migraine patients were recruited and randomized in an equal ratio to receive real taVNS or sham taVNS treatments for 4 weeks. Resting-state functional MRI was collected before and after treatment. The thalamus was parceled into functional regions of interest (ROIs) on the basis of six priori-defined cortical ROIs covering the entire cortex. Seed-based functional connectivity analysis between each thalamic subregion and the whole brain was further compared across groups after treatment. RESULTS Of the 59 patients that finished the study, those in the taVNS group had significantly reduced number of migraine days, pain intensity and migraine attack times after 4 weeks of treatment compared with the sham taVNS. Functional connectivity analysis revealed that taVNS can increase the connectivity between the motor-related thalamus subregion and anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex, and decrease the connectivity between occipital cortex-related thalamus subregion and postcentral gyrus/precuneus. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that taVNS can relieve the symptoms of headache as well as modulate the thalamocortical circuits in migraine patients. The results provide insights into the neural mechanism of taVNS and reveal potential therapeutic targets for migraine patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiting Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhaoxian Yan
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xian Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyan Hou
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weicui Chen
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiheng Tu
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sierra Hodges
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Helen Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Tu Y, Cao J, Bi Y, Hu L. Magnetic resonance imaging for chronic pain: diagnosis, manipulation, and biomarkers. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 64:879-896. [PMID: 33247802 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1822-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pain is a multidimensional subjective experience with biological, psychological, and social factors. Whereas acute pain can be a warning signal for the body to avoid excessive injury, long-term and ongoing pain may be developed as chronic pain. There are more than 100 million people in China living with chronic pain, which has raised a huge socioeconomic burden. Studying the mechanisms of pain and developing effective analgesia approaches are important for basic and clinical research. Recently, with the development of brain imaging and data analytical approaches, the neural mechanisms of chronic pain have been widely studied. In the first part of this review, we briefly introduced the magnetic resonance imaging and conventional analytical approaches for brain imaging data. Then, we reviewed brain alterations caused by several chronic pain disorders, including localized and widespread primary pain, primary headaches and orofacial pain, musculoskeletal pain, and neuropathic pain, and present meta-analytical results to show brain regions associated with the pathophysiology of chronic pain. Next, we reviewed brain changes induced by pain interventions, such as pharmacotherapy, neuromodulation, and acupuncture. Lastly, we reviewed emerging studies that combined advanced machine learning and neuroimaging techniques to identify diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers in chronic pain patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiheng Tu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, 100101, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jin Cao
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02129, USA
| | - Yanzhi Bi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, 100101, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Li Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, 100101, China. .,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,Department of Pain Management, The State Key Clinical Specialty in Pain Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, China.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Gnat R, Biały M, Dziewońska A. Experimentally induced low back pain influences brain networks activity. J Mot Behav 2020; 53:680-692. [PMID: 33161892 DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2020.1839376] [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: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of this study was to answer the question whether the recognized patterns of brain activity are likely to change under the influence of experimentally induced low back pain (LBP), and also to determine the functional networks of the brain engaged in this process. Twenty healthy subjects (8 women) participated. An experimental design was applied with repeated measurements of the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal from the brain during two different voluntary contractions of the abdominal muscles without and with experimentally induced LBP. Brain areas showing significant differences in activity were identified and ascribed to the three functional neuronal brain networks: default mode network (DMN), pain matrix (PM), and sensorimotor (SM) areas. After implementation of the experimental painful stimulus the overall level of brain activity appears to be higher. No higher brain deactivations are seen in painful conditions and no higher activations in pain-free conditions. During isolated-type of muscular contraction a slight tendency to DMN deactivation may be observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Gnat
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| | - Maciej Biały
- Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.,Functional Diagnosis Laboratory, Sport-Klinika, Endoscopy Surgery Clinic, Żory, Poland
| | - Agata Dziewońska
- PhD Studies, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Karunakaran KD, Peng K, Berry D, Green S, Labadie R, Kussman B, Borsook D. NIRS measures in pain and analgesia: Fundamentals, features, and function. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 120:335-353. [PMID: 33159918 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Current pain assessment techniques based only on clinical evaluation and self-reports are not objective and may lead to inadequate treatment. Having a functional biomarker will add to the clinical fidelity, diagnosis, and perhaps improve treatment efficacy in patients. While many approaches have been deployed in pain biomarker discovery, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a technology that allows for non-invasive measurement of cortical hemodynamics. The utility of fNIRS is especially attractive given its ability to detect specific changes in the somatosensory and high-order cortices as well as its ability to measure (1) brain function similar to functional magnetic resonance imaging, (2) graded responses to noxious and innocuous stimuli, (3) analgesia, and (4) nociception under anesthesia. In this review, we evaluate the utility of fNIRS in nociception/pain with particular focus on its sensitivity and specificity, methodological advantages and limitations, and the current and potential applications in various pain conditions. Everything considered, fNIRS technology could enhance our ability to evaluate evoked and persistent pain across different age groups and clinical populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keerthana Deepti Karunakaran
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States.
| | - Ke Peng
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States; Département en Neuroscience, Centre de Recherche du CHUM, l'Université de Montréal Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Delany Berry
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Stephen Green
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Robert Labadie
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - Barry Kussman
- Division of Cardiac Anesthesia, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States
| | - David Borsook
- Center for Pain and the Brain, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States.
| |
Collapse
|