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Su TF, Hamilton JD, Guo Y, Potas JR, Shivdasani MN, Moalem-Taylor G, Fridman GY, Aplin FP. Peripheral direct current reduces naturally evoked nociceptive activity at the spinal cord in rodent models of pain. J Neural Eng 2024; 21:026044. [PMID: 38579742 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad3b6c] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Objective.Electrical neuromodulation is an established non-pharmacological treatment for chronic pain. However, existing devices using pulsatile stimulation typically inhibit pain pathways indirectly and are not suitable for all types of chronic pain. Direct current (DC) stimulation is a recently developed technology which affects small-diameter fibres more strongly than pulsatile stimulation. Since nociceptors are predominantly small-diameter Aδand C fibres, we investigated if this property could be applied to preferentially reduce nociceptive signalling.Approach.We applied a DC waveform to the sciatic nerve in rats of both sexes and recorded multi-unit spinal activity evoked at the hindpaw using various natural stimuli corresponding to different sensory modalities rather than broad-spectrum electrical stimulus. To determine if DC neuromodulation is effective across different types of chronic pain, tests were performed in models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain.Main results.We found that in both pain models tested, DC application reduced responses evoked by noxious stimuli, as well as tactile-evoked responses which we suggest may be involved in allodynia. Different spinal activity of different modalities were reduced in naïve animals compared to the pain models, indicating that physiological changes such as those mediated by disease states could play a larger role than previously thought in determining neuromodulation outcomes.Significance.Our findings support the continued development of DC neuromodulation as a method for reduction of nociceptive signalling, and suggests that it may be effective at treating a broader range of aberrant pain conditions than existing devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom F Su
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jack D Hamilton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yiru Guo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason R Potas
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Eccles Institute, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Mohit N Shivdasani
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gila Moalem-Taylor
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gene Y Fridman
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Felix P Aplin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Valle G, Katic Secerovic N, Eggemann D, Gorskii O, Pavlova N, Petrini FM, Cvancara P, Stieglitz T, Musienko P, Bumbasirevic M, Raspopovic S. Biomimetic computer-to-brain communication enhancing naturalistic touch sensations via peripheral nerve stimulation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1151. [PMID: 38378671 PMCID: PMC10879152 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45190-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial communication with the brain through peripheral nerve stimulation shows promising results in individuals with sensorimotor deficits. However, these efforts lack an intuitive and natural sensory experience. In this study, we design and test a biomimetic neurostimulation framework inspired by nature, capable of "writing" physiologically plausible information back into the peripheral nervous system. Starting from an in-silico model of mechanoreceptors, we develop biomimetic stimulation policies. We then experimentally assess them alongside mechanical touch and common linear neuromodulations. Neural responses resulting from biomimetic neuromodulation are consistently transmitted towards dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord of cats, and their spatio-temporal neural dynamics resemble those naturally induced. We implement these paradigms within the bionic device and test it with patients (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03350061). He we report that biomimetic neurostimulation improves mobility (primary outcome) and reduces mental effort (secondary outcome) compared to traditional approaches. The outcomes of this neuroscience-driven technology, inspired by the human body, may serve as a model for advancing assistive neurotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Valle
- Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Natalija Katic Secerovic
- Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
- The Mihajlo Pupin Institute, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dominic Eggemann
- Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Oleg Gorskii
- Laboratory for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory for Neuromodulation, Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, National University of Science and Technology "MISIS", 119049, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Pavlova
- Laboratory for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Paul Cvancara
- Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering-IMTEK, Bernstein Center, BrainLinks-BrainTools Center of Excellence, University of Freiburg, D-79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Stieglitz
- Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering-IMTEK, Bernstein Center, BrainLinks-BrainTools Center of Excellence, University of Freiburg, D-79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pavel Musienko
- Laboratory for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, Neuroscience Program, Sirius, Russia
- Laboratory for Neurorehabilitation Technologies, Life Improvement by Future Technologies Center "LIFT", Moscow, Russia
| | - Marko Bumbasirevic
- Orthopaedic Surgery Department, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Stanisa Raspopovic
- Laboratory for Neuroengineering, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Yu Q, Cao W, Wang X, He W, Sun X, Chen L, Su Y, Zhang Z, Jing X. The Effect of Pre-Electroacupuncture on Nociceptive Discharges of Spinal Wide Dynamic Range Neurons in Rat. J Pain Res 2023; 16:695-706. [PMID: 36915279 PMCID: PMC10007980 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s396481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons are well studied in pain models and they play critical roles in regulating nociception. Evidence has started to accumulate that acupuncture produces a good analgesic effect via activating different primary fibers with distinct intensities. The purpose of the present study was to compare the distinct intensities of pre-electroacupuncture (pre-EA) at local muscular receptive fields (RFs), adjacent or contralateral non-RFs regulating the nociceptive discharges of spinal WDR neurons evoked by hypertonic saline (HS). Materials and Methods Spinal segments of electrophysiological recording were identified by neural tracers applied at the left gastrocnemius muscle. The thresholds of Aβ (TAβ), Aδ (TAδ) and C (TC) components of WDR neurons were measured to determine the intensity of pre-EA by extracellular recording. The discharges of WDR neurons induced by distinct intensities of pre-EA and 200 µL HS (6%) injection in left gastrocnemius muscle of rats were observed by extracellular recording. Results The spinal segments of WDR neurons were confirmed in lumbar (L)5-6 area according to the projective segments of dorsal root ganglion. TAβ, TAδ and TC of WDR neurons was determined to be 0.5, 1, and 2 mA, respectively. The pre-EA with intensities of TAβ (P < 0.05), TAδ (P < 0.05), TC (P < 0.05) or 2TC (P < 0.01) at ipsilateral adjacent non-RFs significantly reduced the discharges of WDR neurons, while at local RFs only pre-EA of TAδ (P < 0.05), TC (P < 0.05) and 2TC (P < 0.01) could inhibit the nociceptive discharges. In addition, intensity of pre-EA at contralateral non-RFs should reach at least TC to effectively inhibit the firing rates of WDR neurons (P < 0.01). Conclusion Pre-EA could suppress nociceptive discharges of WDR neurons and the inhibitory effects were dependent on the distinct intensities and locations of stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingquan Yu
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanying Cao
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei He
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyue Sun
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lizhen Chen
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangshuai Su
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyun Zhang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianghong Jing
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-second consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2019 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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Cell type–specific super-resolution imaging reveals an increase in calcium-permeable AMPA receptors at spinal peptidergic terminals as an anatomical correlate of inflammatory pain. Pain 2019; 160:2641-2650. [DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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