Article
Clinical Neurology
Mateusz W. Kucharczyk, Francesca Di Domenico, Kirsty Bannister
Summary: Diffuse noxious inhibitory control is an endogenous pain modulation mechanism in the central nervous system that can inhibit the pain response to a noxious stimulus. The A5 noradrenergic cell group in the brainstem is identified as a critical relay in this pathway. Understanding this mechanism and identifying therapeutic targets are important for pain modulation.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Mateusz Wojciech Kucharczyk, Diego Valiente, Kirsty Bannister
Summary: This review discusses strategies for pharmacological manipulation of diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC) and the descending control of nociception (DCN), highlighting methodological limitations and the complexity of underlying circuitry, as well as the impact of drug modulation on noradrenergic, serotonergic, and opioidergic transmission systems.
JOURNAL OF PAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Anesthesiology
Teppei Sago, Yuri M. Costa, Dyna M. Ferreira, Peter Svensson, Fernando G. Exposto
Summary: This study aimed to assess the mechanisms of referred sensation (RS), and found that RS in the orofacial region is strongly modified by both peripheral and central nervous system factors.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Caroline M. Kopruszinski, Joelle M. Turnes, Juliana Swiokla, Troy J. Weinstein, Todd J. Schwedt, David W. Dodick, Trent Anderson, Edita Navratilova, Frank Porreca
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the role of calcitonin-gene related peptide in promoting post-traumatic headache and dysregulation of central pain modulation induced by mild traumatic brain injury in mice. The results showed that mild traumatic brain injury led to cutaneous allodynia and loss of diffuse noxious inhibitory control in mice on day 2 post-injury. However, systemic treatment with fremanezumab was able to block mild traumatic brain injury-induced cutaneous allodynia and restore the loss of diffuse noxious inhibitory control.
Article
Immunology
Chia-En Wong, Chia-Ying Hu, Po-Hsuan Lee, Chi-Chen Huang, Han-Wei Huang, Chih-Yuan Huang, Hsin-Tien Lo, Wentai Liu, Jung-Shun Lee
Summary: This study investigated the therapeutic effect of sciatic nerve stimulation (SNS) on acute neuropathic pain (NP) and its underlying mechanism. The results showed that both 2 Hz and 20 Hz SNS could alleviate pain behavior and hyperactivation of pain conducting pathways, reduce neuroinflammation and inflammatory protein expression, suppress astrocytic gliosis and microglia activation, and enhance the activity of the descending pain modulation pathway.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Riku Kawanabe, Kohei Yoshihara, Izuho Hatada, Makoto Tsuda
Summary: Astrocytes in the spinal dorsal horn have increased Ca2+ levels following intraplantar injection of formalin, with mechanisms regulated by descending noradrenergic signals. The Ca2+ response can be suppressed by ablating locus coeruleus-NAergic neurons projecting to the SDH or by losing alpha(1A)-adrenaline receptors in astrocytes.
Article
Biology
Simon Desch, Petra Schweinhardt, Ben Seymour, Herta Flor, Susanne Becker, Markus Ploner
Summary: Active decision-making and unpredictability enhance the perception of pain relief, and this effect is more pronounced in individuals with high novelty-seeking traits. Dopaminergic signaling plays a key role in modulating the perception of pain relief, while the effect of opioidergic manipulation is not significant.
Article
Neurosciences
Philipp Graeff, Ruth Ruscheweyh, Virginia L. Flanagin
Summary: Positive mental imagery can activate the descending pain inhibition mechanism and modulate pain sensation. Feedback training increases activity in pain inhibition-related brain areas and decreases the reaction to painful stimuli, suggesting a decreased spinal nociception.
Article
Biology
Izumi Oikawa, Shu Kondo, Kao Hashimoto, Akiho Yoshida, Megumi Hamajima, Hiromu Tanimoto, Katsuo Furukubo-Tokunaga, Ken Honjo
Summary: Nociception is a neural process in animals to avoid tissue-damaging stimuli. While its peripheral mechanisms are conserved, it remains unclear if the brain-mediated modulation is conserved in non-mammalian species. This study shows that Drosophila has a descending inhibitory mechanism of nociception mediated by Drosulfakinin (DSK), similar to the role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in mammals. It provides the first evidence for a descending modulatory mechanism of nociception from the brain in a non-mammalian species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yurina Higa, Hideki Kashiwadani, Mitsutaka Sugimura, Tomoyuki Kuwaki
Summary: The exposure to Linalool odor induces analgesic effects in mice, which are triggered by olfactory input and involve hypothalamic orexinergic neurons. Specifically, the activation of the orexinergic descending pathway by Linalool odor exposure suppresses neuronal activity in the spinal cord, leading to reduced nociceptive information flow and pain relief.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Takashi Juri, Yohei Fujimoto, Koichi Suehiro, Kiyonobu Nishikawa, Takashi Mori
Summary: The study investigated the relationship between the analgesic effect of acetaminophen and the descending noradrenergic system in rodent models of inflammatory pain. The results showed that acetaminophen has a significant anti-hyperalgesic effect in the subacute phase of inflammatory pain, and the inhibitory noradrenergic system is involved in this analgesic action.
Article
Anesthesiology
Anne-Priscille Trouvin, Arielle Simunek, Joel Coste, Terkia Medkour, Sandrine Carves, Didier Bouhassira, Serge Perrot
Summary: Persistent pain despite satisfactory disease treatment is frequent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (Spa) and may result from specific changes in central pain processing. We assessed these mechanisms further by systematically comparing thermal pain thresholds and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) between patients with active RA or Spa and healthy controls.
Article
Anesthesiology
Marcel Simis, Kevin Pacheco-Barrios, Elif Uygur-Kucukseymen, Luis Castelo-Branco, Linamara R. Battistella, Felipe Fregni
Summary: The study found that 74% of SCI patients reported SCI-related pain. Results showed that lower alpha and beta frequencies were associated with pain presence and higher pain levels, patients with pain had decreased peak alpha-theta frequency, more relative theta power was related to low CPM efficiency, and higher relative theta power was associated with lower CPM efficiency. These findings suggest potential EEG-based biomarkers and interventions for pain management in post-SCI population.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jadina S. Vieira, Guilherme R. de Souza, Bruna Kalil-Cutti, Alexandre Giusti-Paiva, Fabiana C. Vilela
Summary: Exposure to inescapable footshock can induce PTSD-like symptoms in male rats, leading to an increase in pain sensitivity. The use of fluoxetine or desipramine can prevent this nociceptive response, while there is a negative correlation between social interaction and nociceptive response in the formalin test.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yuka Nakaya, Koichi Iwata, Masayuki Kobayashi
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the insular cortex (IC) on neuronal spike firings in response to noxious and innoxious stimuli to the face. It was found that the descending projections from the IC can increase the response of Sp5C neurons to noxious mechanical stimuli. These results suggest that the IC plays a role in facilitating nociception by enhancing the activity of Sp5C neurons.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Hannah Capon, Melissa O'Shea, Subhadra Evans, Shane McIver
Summary: Therapeutic yoga is widely accepted as an adjunct treatment for anxiety and depression, enhancing engagement and perceived outcomes for patients. It provides a unique combination of elements that complement CBT processes effectively.
PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY-THEORY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Subhadra Evans, Valeria Villegas, Charlotte Dowding, Marilla Druitt, Rebecca O'Hara, Antonina Mikocka-Walus
Summary: The study found that most Australian women with endometriosis use medication for pain relief, and complementary/self-care strategies are less effective. The survey showed that some patients are dissatisfied with treatment, some are satisfied, and there is a need for comprehensive, interdisciplinary care and patient knowledge, advocacy, and resilience.
INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Subhadra Evans, Charlotte Dowding, Lisa Olive, Laura A. Payne, Marilla Druitt, Laura C. Seidman, David Skvarc, Antonina Mikocka-Walus
Summary: The study found that pain catastrophizing is an important psychological factor affecting menstrual pain severity, whether caused by primary dysmenorrhea or endometriosis. 36% of women with primary dysmenorrhea and 58% with endometriosis had clinically relevant levels of pain catastrophizing. Therefore, reducing pain helplessness may help alleviate dysmenorrhea.
PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH & MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Sophie Leitch, Emma Sciberras, Nicole Rinehart, Subhadra Evans
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a co-designed mindful parenting intervention (PTM) for parents of children with ADHD. The findings suggest that PTM was highly acceptable and showed promising effects for parents and children. However, intervention adherence was challenging due to various barriers.
CHILD PSYCHIATRY & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Daniel Reich, Subhadra Evans, Melissa O'Shea
Summary: This research aims to collaboratively identify attitudes towards mindfulness and potential interventions for youth at risk for psychosis. The study found that stakeholders recognized the potential benefits of mindfulness for stress management, emotion regulation, and improving functioning. However, barriers such as poor functioning and low motivation were identified. Comprehensive clinical guidelines are crucial for the safe and effective use of mindfulness in this population.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Subhadra Evans, Lisa Olive, Madeleine Dober, Simon Knowles, Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, O. Eric, Peter Gibson, Leanne Raven, Richard Gearry, Andrew McCombie, Leesa van Niekerk, Susan Chesterman, Daniel Romano, Antonina Mikocka-Walus
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the ACTforIBD program in reducing psychological distress in patients with IBD. The program is an 8-week intervention with 1-hour sessions, with the first three and last sessions delivered one-to-one by a psychologist, and the other sessions self-directed online. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with 25 participants assigned to the ACTforIBD group and 25 patients assigned to an active control group.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Shane McIver, Melissa O'Shea, Bo Nixon, Zac Seidler, Subhadra Evans
Summary: Men's participation in mental health treatment is significantly lower than that of women. However, poor mental health is a public health issue for both genders. Therefore, exploring alternative approaches such as yoga that can support men's mental health is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the benefits and barriers of ongoing yoga practice among men attending community-based yoga classes, with a focus on identifying mental health outcomes.
AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGIST
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Applied
Subhadra Evans, Amy Livingstone, Michael Dodds, Deiter Kotte, Marjan Geertsema, Melissa O'Shea
Summary: This study aims to explore the experiences of consumers using forest therapy (FT) as an adjunct to their usual psychological treatment. Interviews with ten mental health consumers revealed that FT can provide a sense of safety, improve connection with nature and others, and have lasting therapeutic impacts related to spirituality and symptomatology.
JOURNAL OF SPIRITUALITY IN MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Antonina Mikocka-Walus, Subhadra Evans, Jake Linardon, Helen Wilding, Simon R. Knowles
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the efficacy of psychotherapy on symptoms of functional dyspepsia, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. The findings suggest that psychotherapy may have a small to moderate effect on functional dyspepsia symptoms and anxiety, but no significant effect on depressive symptoms. The limited number of trials and high risk of bias in the studies restrict the conclusions.
PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Rylee Stokes, Antonina Mikocka-Walus, Charlotte Dowding, Marilla Druitt, Subhadra Evans
Summary: This study investigated the experiences of women with mild, moderate, and severe menstrual pain and found that women across all pain severities reported the need for education and treatment, as well as disrupted physical activity. The results underscore the importance of supportive care for all individuals experiencing menstruation.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN MEDICAL SETTINGS
(2023)
Review
Nursing
Brianna Peterson, Antonina Mikocka-Walus, Subhadra Evans
Summary: This study aimed to understand the experience of loss in Australian women with endometriosis. The findings revealed that pain was the greatest concern for participants, preventing them from engaging in various activities. Women with endometriosis experience wide-reaching losses, restricting control and choice in multiple life domains. These losses were often unacknowledged by loved ones and healthcare providers, further impacting the participants' physical, emotional, and mental health.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Antonina Mikocka-Walus, Mark Stokes, Subhadra Evans, Anna Klas, Julian W. Fernando, Lisa Olive, Jeromy Anglim, Adrian Esterman, Elizabeth Westrupp
Summary: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between COVID-19 pandemic-related product shortages and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in Australian families. The study used data from a longitudinal cohort study of Australian parents and found that product shortages were significantly correlated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Parental emotion regulation was found to play a role in coping with these stressors.
PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH & MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Kimina Lyall, George Youssef, Antonina Mikocka-Walus, Subhadra Evans, Robert A. Cummins
Summary: People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often experience psychological symptoms and low subjective wellbeing (SWB). This study examined the relationship between psychological symptoms, patient-reported disease symptoms, trait mindfulness, and homeostatically protected mood (HPMood). The results suggested a resilience effect where SWB levels resist rising levels of depression symptoms for the cohort with Crohn's disease (CD), but not for those with ulcerative colitis (UC). Trait mindfulness was found to support HPMood, but only for the CD cohort. The implications of these findings are discussed.
JOURNAL OF HAPPINESS STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Melissa O'Shea, Emma E. Houston, David Skvarc, Hannah Capon, Shane Mclver, Michael Berk, Jill Harris, Belinda Chandler, Subhadra Evans
Summary: This study reports on a pragmatic preference trial with adults diagnosed with depression or anxiety, comparing the longer-term outcomes between those who completed a group CBT program and those who completed a group CBT program with an adjunct therapeutic yoga program. The findings show that participants in the combined CBT+Yoga group had sustained reductions in anxiety and depression, with significantly superior outcomes when compared to those receiving group CBT alone.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION
(2023)
Review
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Eleanor Trethewey, Subhadra Evans, Shane McIver, Jennifer O'Brien, Janet Lowndes, Genevieve Pepin, Melissa O'Shea
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the application of yoga in individuals with eating disorders, and found that yoga is a safe, acceptable, and feasible transdiagnostic intervention for this cohort. These findings provide pragmatic support for integrating yoga into clinical practice to support the recovery of eating disorders.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)