1
|
Pakalniskis J, Soares S, Rajan S, Vyshnevska A, Schmelz M, Solinski HJ, Rukwied R, Carr R. Human pain ratings to electrical sinusoids increase with cooling through a cold-induced increase in C-fibre excitability. Pain 2023; 164:1524-1536. [PMID: 36972485 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Low-frequency sinusoidal current applied to human skin evokes local axon reflex flare and burning pain, indicative of C-fibre activation. Because topical cooling works well as a local analgesic, we examined the effect of cooling on human pain ratings to sinusoidal and rectangular profiles of constant current stimulation. Unexpectedly, pain ratings increased upon cooling the skin from 32 to 18°C. To explore this paradoxical observation, the effects of cooling on C-fibre responses to stimulation with sinusoidal and rectangular current profiles were determined in ex vivo segments of mouse sural and pig saphenous nerve. As expected by thermodynamics, the absolute value of electrical charge required to activate C-fibre axons increased with cooling from 32°C to 20°C, irrespective of the stimulus profile used. However, for sinusoidal stimulus profiles, cooling enabled a more effective integration of low-intensity currents over tens of milliseconds resulting in a delayed initiation of action potentials. Our findings indicate that the paradoxical cooling-induced enhancement of electrically evoked pain in people can be explained by an enhancement of C-fibre responsiveness to slow depolarization at lower temperatures. This property may contribute to symptoms of enhanced cold sensitivity, especially cold allodynia, associated with many forms of neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julius Pakalniskis
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Mannheim Centre for Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schneider T, Filip J, Soares S, Sohns K, Carr R, Rukwied R, Schmelz M. Optimized Electrical Stimulation of C-Nociceptors in Humans Based on the Chronaxie of Porcine C-Fibers. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:957-969. [PMID: 36681314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Classically, to electrically excite C-nociceptors, rectangular pulses are used with a duration close to the estimated chronaxie of C-fibres (about 2 ms). Recent results using slow depolarizing stimuli suggest longer chronaxies. We therefore set out to optimize C-fiber stimulation based on recordings of single C-nociceptors in-vivo and C-fiber compound-action-potentials (C-CAP) ex-vivo using half-sine shaped stimuli of durations between 1 and 250ms. Single fiber (n = 45) recording in pigs revealed high chronaxie values for C-touch fibers (15.8 ms), polymodal- (14.2 ms) and silent-nociceptors (16.8 ms). Activation thresholds decreased 2 to 3-fold in all fibre classes when increasing the duration of half-sine pulses from 1 to 25 ms (P < .05). C-CAPs strength-duration curves of the pig saphenous nerve (n = 7) showed the highest sensitivity for half-sine durations between 10 and 25 ms. Half-maximum currents for C-CAPS were reduced 3-fold compared to rectangular pulses (P < .01) whereas the opposite was found for A-fiber compound action potentials. Psychophysics in humans (n = 23) revealed that half-sine stimulus durations >10 ms reduced detection thresholds, pain thresholds, and stimulus current amplitudes required to generate a pain rating of 3 on an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) as compared to 1 ms rectangular pulses (P < 0.05). Increasing the duration from 1 to 25 ms led to a 4-fold amplitude reduction for pain-thresholds and stimuli caused an axon-reflex flare. Excitability of single polymodal nociceptors in animals paralleled human psychophysics and we conclude optimized half-sine pulses facilitate C-nociceptor activation. PERSPECTIVE: Electrical stimulation with longer lasting half-sine wave pulses preferentially activates C-nociceptors and changes in the strength duration curve may identify nociceptor hyperexcitability in patients with neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Schneider
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Mannheim Center Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Chronic Pain Unit, Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Julia Filip
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Mannheim Center Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Soares
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Mannheim Center Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kyra Sohns
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Mannheim Center Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard Carr
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Mannheim Center Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roman Rukwied
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Mannheim Center Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schmelz
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Mannheim Center Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Røikjer J, Croosu SS, Frøkjær JB, Hansen TM, Arendt-Nielsen L, Ejskjaer N, Mørch CD. Perception threshold tracking: validating a novel method for assessing function of large and small sensory nerve fibers in diabetic peripheral neuropathy with and without pain. Pain 2023; 164:886-894. [PMID: 36130086 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT It remains unknown why some people with diabetes develop painful neuropathies while others experience no pain. This study aimed to validate a novel method for assessing the function of small sensory nerves in diabetes to further elucidate this phenomenon. The function of large and small nerves was assessed using a novel perception threshold tracking technique in 3 well-characterized groups (n = 60) with type 1 diabetes, namely, (1) painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (T1DM + PDPN), (2) painless diabetic peripheral neuropathy (T1DM + DPN), and (3) no neuropathy (T1DM - DPN), and healthy controls (n = 20). Electrical currents with different shapes, duration, and intensities were applied by 2 different skin electrodes activating large and small fibers, respectively. The minimal current needed to activate the fibers were analyzed as the rheobase of the stimulus-response function. Nerve fiber selectivity was measured by accommodation properties of stimulated nerves. The rheobase of both fiber types were highest for T1DM + PDPN, followed by T1DM + DPN, T1DM - DPN, and healthy controls, indicating that the nerve properties are specific in individuals with diabetes and pain. There was an overall significant difference between the groups ( P < 0.01). The accommodation properties of stimulated fibers were different between the 2 electrodes ( P < 0.05) apart from in the group with T1DM + PDPN, where both electrodes stimulated nerves displaying properties similar to large fibers. Perception threshold tracking reveals differences in large and small nerve fiber function between the groups with and without diabetes, DPN, and pain. This indicates that the methods have potential applications in screening DPN and explore further the features differentiating painful from nonpainful DPN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johan Røikjer
- Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Suganthiya Santhiapillai Croosu
- Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Radiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jens Brøndum Frøkjær
- Department of Radiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Tine Maria Hansen
- Department of Radiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Mech-Sense, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Niels Ejskjaer
- Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Carsten Dahl Mørch
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mouraux A, Bannister K, Becker S, Finn DP, Pickering G, Pogatzki-Zahn E, Graven-Nielsen T. Challenges and opportunities in translational pain research - An opinion paper of the working group on translational pain research of the European pain federation (EFIC). Eur J Pain 2021; 25:731-756. [PMID: 33625769 PMCID: PMC9290702 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
For decades, basic research on the underlying mechanisms of nociception has held promise to translate into efficacious treatments for patients with pain. Despite great improvement in the understanding of pain physiology and pathophysiology, translation to novel, effective treatments for acute and chronic pain has however been limited, and they remain an unmet medical need. In this opinion paper bringing together pain researchers from very different disciplines, the opportunities and challenges of translational pain research are discussed. The many factors that may prevent the successful translation of bench observations into useful and effective clinical applications are reviewed, including interspecies differences, limited validity of currently available preclinical disease models of pain, and limitations of currently used methods to assess nociception and pain in non-human and human models of pain. Many paths are explored to address these issues, including the backward translation of observations made in patients and human volunteers into new disease models that are more clinically relevant, improved generalization by taking into account age and sex differences, and the integration of psychobiology into translational pain research. Finally, it is argued that preclinical and clinical stages of developing new treatments for pain can be improved by better preclinical models of pathological pain conditions alongside revised methods to assess treatment-induced effects on nociception in human and non-human animals. Significance: For decades, basic research of the underlying mechanisms of nociception has held promise to translate into efficacious treatments for patients with pain. Despite great improvement in the understanding of pain physiology and pathophysiology, translation to novel, effective treatments for acute and chronic pain has however been limited, and they remain an unmet medical need.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André Mouraux
- Institute of Neuroscience (IONS), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kirsty Bannister
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Susanne Becker
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Integrative Spinal Research, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David P Finn
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Pain Research, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Gisèle Pickering
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Inserm CIC 1405, University Hospital, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology of Pain, University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Esther Pogatzki-Zahn
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Thomas Graven-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Poulsen AH, Tigerholm J, Andersen OK, Mørch CD. Increased preferential activation of small cutaneous nerve fibers by optimization of electrode design parameters. J Neural Eng 2020; 18. [PMID: 33291093 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/abd1c1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Electrical preferential activation of small nociceptive fibers may be achieved with the use of specialized small area electrodes, however, the existing electrodes are limited to low stimulation intensities. As existing electrodes have been developed empirically, the present study aimed to use computational modeling and optimization techniques to investigate if changes in electrode design parameters could improve the preferential activation of small fibers. APPROACH Two finite element models; one of a planar concentric and one of an intra-epidermal electrode were combined with two multi-compartmental nerve fiber models of an Aδ-fiber and an Aβ-fiber. These two-step hybrid models were used for the optimization of four electrode parameters; anode area, anode-cathode distance, cathode area, and cathode protrusion. Optimization was performed using a gradient-free bounded Nelder-Mead algorithm, to maximize the current activation threshold ratio between the Aβ-fiber model and the Aδ-fiber model. MAIN RESULTS All electrode parameters were optimal at their lower bound, except the cathode protrusion, which was optimal a few micrometers above the location of the Aδ-fiber model. A small cathode area is essential for producing a high current density in the epidermal skin layer enabling activation of small fibers, while a small anode area and anode-cathode distance are important for the minimization of the current spread to deeper tissues, making it less likely to activate large fibers. Combining each of the optimized electrode parameters improved the preferential activation of small fibers in comparison to existing electrodes, by increasing the activation threshold ratio between the two nerve fiber types. The maximum increase in the activation threshold ratio was 289% and 595% for the intra-epidermal and planar concentric design, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE The present study showed that electrical preferential small fiber activation can be improved by electrode design. Additionally, the results may be used for the production of an electrode that could potentially be used for clinical assessment of small fiber neuropathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aida Hejlskov Poulsen
- Department of Health science and technology, Aalborg Universitet, Fredrik bajers vej 7A, Aalborg, Nordjylland, 9220, DENMARK
| | - Jenny Tigerholm
- Health Science and Technology, Aalborg Universitet, Fredrik bajers vej 7A,, Aalborg, Nordjylland, 9220, DENMARK
| | - Ole Kaeseler Andersen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg Universitet, Fredrik bajers vej 7A,, Aalborg, Nordjylland, 9220, DENMARK
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Schnakenberg M, Thomas C, Schmelz M, Rukwied R. Nerve growth factor sensitizes nociceptors to C-fibre selective supra-threshold electrical stimuli in human skin. Eur J Pain 2020; 25:385-397. [PMID: 33064901 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intradermal injection of 1 µg nerve growth factor (NGF) causes sustained nociceptor sensitization. Slowly depolarizing electrical current preferentially activates C-nociceptors. METHODS We explored the differential contribution of A-delta and C-nociceptors in NGF-sensitized skin using slowly depolarizing transcutaneous electrical current stimuli, CO2 laser heat, mechanical impact, and A-fibre compression block. In 14 healthy volunteers, pain rating was recorded on a numeric scale at days 1-14 after NGF treatment. Ratings during A-fibre conduction block were investigated at days 3 and 7 post-NGF. RESULTS Pain ratings to electrical, CO2 heat and mechanical impact stimuli were enhanced (>30%, p < .0005, ANOVA) at NGF-injection sites. Axon reflex erythema evoked by electrical stimulation was also larger at NGF-injection sites (p < .02, ANOVA). Diminution of pain during continuous (1 min) sinusoidal current stimulation at 4 Hz was less pronounced after NGF (p < .05, ANOVA). Pain ratings to electrical sinusoidal and mechanical impact stimuli during A-fibre conduction block were significantly elevated at the NGF sites compared to NaCl-treated skin (p < .05, ANOVA). CONCLUSIONS NGF-induced sensitization of human skin to electrical and mechanical stimuli is primarily driven by C-nociceptors with little contribution from A-delta fibres. Less-pronounced accommodation during ongoing sinusoidal stimulation suggests that NGF could facilitate axonal spike generation and conduction in primary afferent nociceptors in humans. Further studies using this sinusoidal electrical stimulation profile to investigate patients with chronic inflammatory pain may allow localized assessment of skin C-nociceptors and their putative excitability changes under pathologic conditions. SIGNIFICANCE The application of novel slowly depolarizing electrical stimuli demonstrated a predominant C-nociceptor sensitization in NGF-treated skin. Increased pain ratings, larger axon reflex erythema and less accommodation of C-fibres to ongoing sinusoidal stimulation all indicated an enhanced nociceptor discharge after NGF. A-fibre conduction block had little effect on electrical and mechanical hyperalgesia skin in NGF-treated compared to NaCl-treated skin. This electrical stimulus profile may be applicable for patients with chronic inflammatory pain, allowing localized assessment of skin C-nociceptors and their putative excitability changes under pathologic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Schnakenberg
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Thomas
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schmelz
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Roman Rukwied
- Department of Experimental Pain Research, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Poulsen AH, Tigerholm J, Meijs S, Andersen OK, Mørch CD. Comparison of existing electrode designs for preferential activation of cutaneous nociceptors. J Neural Eng 2020; 17:036026. [DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ab85b1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|