Article
Anesthesiology
Tobias Schneider, Laura Zurbriggen, Markus Dieterle, Eckhard Mauermann, Priska Frei, Katja Mercer-Chalmers-Bender, Wilhelm Ruppen
Summary: This study assessed the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on acute pain and found that oral administration of 800 mg CBD did not show a significant effect on pain intensity, hyperalgesia, and allodynia compared with placebo. The study suggests the need for further research on different dosing, routes of administration, and the use of CBD as part of multimodal treatment strategies.
Article
Neurosciences
Nathan M. Sharfman, Leslie K. Kelley, Maria E. Secci, Nicholas W. Gilpin
Summary: Chronic inflammatory pain is a significant subset of chronic pain diagnoses, affecting a large number of individuals and incurring substantial economic costs. Studies suggest that melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4Rs) may play a role in pain signaling and pain-like behaviors, particularly in the central amygdala (CeA). However, the exact role of MC4Rs in chronic inflammatory pain in males and females is not fully understood.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Augustin C. Hennings, Samuel E. Cooper, Jarrod A. Lewis-Peacock, Joseph E. Dunsmoor
Summary: This review suggests that reliance on traditional univariate analysis of fMRI has hindered translational neuroimaging efforts in the field of threat conditioning and extinction. Multivariate pattern analyses (MVPA) provide a more sensitive analysis tool by leveraging the information present in spatial patterns of activity. The use of MVPA has successfully bridged rodent models of amygdala, hippocampus, and mPFC function during Pavlovian learning in human fMRI studies.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Johnna R. Swartz, Angelica F. Carranza, Laura M. Tully, Annchen R. Knodt, Janina Jiang, Michael R. Irwin, Camelia E. Hostinar
Summary: The study found associations between peripheral inflammation and adolescent brain connectivity, with higher TNF-α levels linked to changes in neural network connections. Associations with IL-6 and CRP were not significant, suggesting that inflammation may have unique effects on brain connectivity during adolescence.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Jie Tang, Qian Su, Xue Zhang, Wen Qin, Huaigui Liu, Meng Liang, Chunshui Yu
Summary: This study identified genes preferentially correlated to painful and tactile activation patterns at the cortical level, revealing differential genetic architectures involved in these specific brain activation patterns. Genes correlated to painful activation were enriched for neuron and opioid- and addiction-related pathways, showing overlapping with pain-related genes identified in previous studies, indicating a new approach to studying pain- and touch-related genes from the perspective of neural responses in the human brain.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhenfu Wen, Candace M. Raio, Edward F. Pace-Schott, Sara W. Lazar, Joseph E. LeDoux, Elizabeth A. Phelps, Mohammed R. Milad
Summary: This study examines the involvement of the amygdala in threat conditioning and safety learning by combining data from multiple studies. The findings reveal that two subregions of the amygdala track the conditioned stimulus with aversive shock during early conditioning, while only one subregion demonstrates delayed responding to a stimulus not paired with shock.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. Di Lionardo, G. Di Stefano, C. Leone, G. Di Pietro, E. Sgro, E. Malara, C. Cosentino, C. Mollica, A. J. Blockeel, O. Caspani, L. Garcia-Larrea, A. Mouraux, R. D. Treede, K. G. Phillips, M. Valeriani, Andrea Truini
Summary: This neurophysiological study demonstrated that capsaicin-induced central sensitization modulated N13 SEP amplitude, which was prevented by pregabalin, suggesting N13 SEP as a potential biomarker for changes in dorsal horn excitability during central sensitization.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Heather N. Allen, Harley J. Bobnar, Benedict J. Kolber
Summary: Hemispheric asymmetries within the brain have been extensively studied across species since the early 19th century. The lateralization of the amygdala, an almond-shaped brain structure located within the limbic system, is reshaping our understanding of its role in pain processing. The central nucleus of the amygdala has been shown to play a crucial role in nociceptive processing, with the right CeA having a pro-nociceptive function and the left CeA showing variable effects ranging from no modulation to anti-nociceptive function in pain models.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Lewis S. Crawford, Noemi Meylakh, Paul M. Macey, Vaughan G. Macefield, Kevin A. Keay, Luke A. Henderson
Summary: An fMRI study with 47 participants has discovered that stimulus-independent and stimulus-dependent neural networks centered around the midbrain periaqueductal gray region are responsible for an individual's ability to experience placebo analgesia. The specific neural circuits that regulate placebo analgesic responsiveness are still unknown, but involvement of brainstem pain modulatory regions is considered crucial. This study demonstrates differences in neural circuit connectivity between placebo responders and non-responders, highlighting the importance of altered connections involving the hypothalamus, anterior cingulate cortex, and midbrain periaqueductal gray matter in the placebo analgesic response.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Thierry Chaminade, Nicolas Spatola
Summary: Emotional contagion is crucial for social bonding, and the perception of others' positive emotions is associated with activity in key brain regions related to the autonomic nervous system, but this effect is not observed when the emotions are expressed by a robot.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Mia A. Thomaidou, Kaya J. Peerdeman, Melissa I. Koppeschaar, Andrea W. M. Evers, Dieuwke S. Veldhuijzen
Summary: This comprehensive review summarizes and interprets the neurobiological correlates of nocebo hyperalgesia in healthy humans, shedding light on the involvement of cognitive-affective and physiological processes in pain modulation and calling for more consistency and replication studies. The findings point towards the complexity of nocebo effects on pain perception and emphasize the need for further research to understand the mechanisms through which these effects exacerbate pain. Despite methodological differences and inconsistent results, these studies provide key insights into the neurobiological processes involved in nocebo hyperalgesia.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Robert J. Pawlik, Liubov Petrakova, Alexandra Cueillette, Katharina Krawczyk, Nina Theysohn, Sigrid Elsenbruch, Harald Engler
Summary: Inflammation may affect the formation and persistence of interoceptive fear and hypervigilance, which is relevant to psychiatric disorders and chronic pain. Two studies were conducted to analyze the effects of inflammation on fear learning and extinction, using endotoxemia as a model and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Despite robust inflammatory and emotional responses, no direct effects of inflammation on fear ratings or the formation/extinction of conditioned fear were observed. However, inflammation during fear acquisition enhanced neural responses to interoceptive but not exteroceptive stimuli during extinction learning, and resulted in enhanced negative valence ratings for interoceptive stimuli during unexpected re-exposure.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Krzysztof A. Bujarski, Yinchen Song, Tiankang Xie, Zachary Leeds, Sophia I. Kolankiewicz, Gabriella H. Wozniak, Sean Guillory, Joshua P. Aronson, Luke Chang, Barbara C. Jobst
Summary: This study investigates the effect of electrical brain stimulation of the human amygdala on perception of affective valence of images. The results provide evidence that the left amygdala participates in a neural network for perception of emotion and that electrical stimulation disrupts this network, leading to partial disruption of perception of emotion. The findings have important clinical implications for the treatment of certain neuropsychiatric disorders using deep brain stimulation (DBS) and neuromodulation.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Valeria Oliva, Ron Hartley-Davies, Rosalyn Moran, Anthony E. Pickering, Jonathan Cw Brooks
Summary: Shifting attention away from a threatening event can decrease pain perception. This phenomenon may involve neural pathways connecting the anterior cingulate with the locus coeruleus and periaqueductal grey-rostral ventromedial medulla, with potential roles for noradrenergic and opioidergic modulators.
Article
Anesthesiology
Inge Timmers, Marina Lopez-Sola, Lauren C. Heathcote, Marissa Heirich, Gillian Q. Rush, Deborah Shear, David Borsook, Laura E. Simons
Summary: This study is important for understanding the core psychological processes and pathophysiology involved in various diagnoses, including disabling pain. The findings suggest that alterations in connectivity between the amygdala and inferior parietal lobe may influence catastrophizing and threat-safety learning abilities.
Article
Anesthesiology
Valeria Oliva, Robert Gregory, Jonathan C. W. Brooks, Anthony E. Pickering
Summary: The study found that patients with fibromyalgia had lower heat pain thresholds and slower visual attention task speeds. However, both groups exhibited an equivalent degree of attentional analgesia when accounting for attentional task and thermal stimulation.
Article
Neuroimaging
Naiara Demnitz, Afroditi Stathi, Janet Withall, Candida Stainer, Poppy Seager, Jolanthe De Koning, Patrick Esser, Thomas Wassenaar, Helen Dawes, Jonathan Brooks, Klaus P. Ebmeier, Heidi Johansen-Berg, Claire E. Sexton
Summary: This study found that a community-based physical activity intervention can significantly delay hippocampal atrophy in older adults. However, no positive effects of the intervention were found on cognition.
NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Arthur P. C. Spencer, Hollie Byrne, Richard Lee-Kelland, Sally Jary, Marianne Thoresen, Frances M. Cowan, Ela Chakkarapani, Jonathan C. W. Brooks
Summary: An age-specific probabilistic white matter atlas was created based on the averaged subject-specific fiber bundles from children aged 6-8 years, allowing for more accurate assessment of white matter tracts in this age group compared to using an adult atlas. The age-specific atlas showed better overall performance, with higher volumetric overlap and correlation of diffusion metrics with subject-specific fiber bundles.
BRAIN CONNECTIVITY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Reiko Ashida, Peter Walsh, Jonathan C. W. Brooks, Richard J. Edwards, Nadia L. Cerminara, Richard Apps
Summary: This study used electrophysiological monitoring to assess limb sensorimotor representation within the human cerebellum in order to reduce postoperative complications. The findings highlight the challenges of mapping functional organization within the human cerebellum using neurophysiological methods.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Valeria Oliva, Ron Hartley-Davies, Rosalyn Moran, Anthony E. Pickering, Jonathan Cw Brooks
Summary: Shifting attention away from a threatening event can decrease pain perception. This phenomenon may involve neural pathways connecting the anterior cingulate with the locus coeruleus and periaqueductal grey-rostral ventromedial medulla, with potential roles for noradrenergic and opioidergic modulators.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Santiago Velasco-Bosom, Johannes Gurke, Sanggil Han, Michael C. Lee, George G. Malliaras
Summary: In this study, flexible and adhesive interdigitated electrodes were developed with a PEDOT:PSS coating, which improved the safety and selectivity of electrical stimulation. The effectiveness of the device was demonstrated through experiments, showing its potential as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for SFN.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Arthur P. C. Spencer, Maarten H. Lequin, Linda S. de Vries, Jonathan C. W. Brooks, Sally Jary, James Tonks, Frances M. Cowan, Marianne Thoresen, Ela Chakkarapani
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate mammillary body abnormalities in school-age children without cerebral palsy who underwent therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. The results show that children with mammillary body abnormalities have reduced cognitive scores, smaller hippocampi, and altered MTT microstructure compared to children without these abnormalities.
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Anesthesiology
Paul Theo Zebhauser, Vanessa D. Hohn, Markus Ploner
Summary: Reliable and objective biomarkers are important for the assessment and treatment of chronic pain. Resting-state EEG has potential as a biomarker due to its availability and cost-efficiency. A systematic review of quantitative resting-state EEG and MEG studies in adult chronic pain patients was conducted. The review found higher theta and beta power in patients compared to healthy participants in cross-sectional studies, but no clear associations between pain relief or pain intensity with M/EEG measures in longitudinal or descriptive studies. The review highlights the need for further research in developing pain biomarkers using resting-state M/EEG.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Hollie Byrne, Arthur P. C. Spencer, Georgia Geary, Sally Jary, Marianne Thoresen, Frances M. Cowan, Jonathan C. W. Brooks, Elavazhagan Chakkarapani
Summary: Morphological and microstructural changes in the corpus callosum after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are associated with reduced cognitive function in early school-age children.
ANNALS OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Ruth Mueller, Anja Kathrin Ruess, Franziska Britta Schoeweitz, Alena Buyx, Cristina Gil Avila, Markus Ploner
Summary: Neuroscience research is influenced by significant racial bias and addressing this bias presents major challenges. The authors propose a global discussion involving researchers from various disciplines and individuals with lived experience to develop solutions and best practices for promoting racial and ethnic equity in neuroscience research and beyond.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Felix S. Bott, Moritz M. Nickel, Vanessa D. Hohn, Elisabeth S. May, Cristina Gil Avila, Laura Tiemann, Joachim Gross, Markus Ploner
Summary: Pain is influenced by both sensory information and contextual factors such as expectations. This study investigated how the brain processes these effects using painful stimuli and electroencephalography in healthy participants. The findings showed that sensory information mainly affected local brain oscillations, while expectations exclusively influenced interregional connectivity. These results reveal the distinct brain mechanisms underlying the processing of sensory and contextual effects on pain.
Article
Neurosciences
Merve Kaptan, Ulrike Horn, S. Johanna Vannesjo, Toralf Mildner, Nikolaus Weiskopf, Juergen Finsterbusch, Jonathan C. W. Brooks, Falk Eippert
Summary: The investigation of spontaneous fluctuations of BOLD signal in the spinal cord has attracted clinical interest. Resting-state fMRI studies have shown functional connectivity in dorsal and ventral horns of the spinal cord. This study evaluated the reliability of resting-state signals in the cervical spinal cord, finding fair to good reliability for dorsal-dorsal and ventral-ventral connectivity, but poor reliability for within-and between-hemicord dorsal-ventral connectivity. The impact of noise sources on connectivity was also investigated, showing that removal of physiological noise reduces connectivity strength and reliability, while removal of thermal noise increases detectability of connectivity without clear influence on reliability.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cristina Gil Avila, Felix S. Bott, Laura Tiemann, Vanessa D. Hohn, Elisabeth S. May, Moritz M. Nickel, Paul Theo Zebhauser, Joachim Gross, Markus Ploner
Summary: In this study, the DISCOVER-EEG pipeline was developed to automate the preprocessing, analysis, and visualization of resting state EEG data. It provides a convenient and efficient tool for biomarker discovery in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Review
Neuroimaging
Henrik Heitmann, Paul Theo Zebhauser, Vanessa D. Hohn, Peter Henningsen, Markus Ploner
Summary: Fatigue is a prevalent and disabling symptom in many disorders, but the underlying mechanisms and biomarkers are not fully understood. This systematic review investigates resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies in adult patients with pathological fatigue. The results suggest potential diagnostic biomarkers but also highlight the high risk of bias in many studies.
NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Henrik Heitmann, Till F. M. Andlauer, Thomas Korn, Mark Muhlau, Peter Henningsen, Bernhard Hemmer, Markus Ploner
Summary: Fatigue, depression, and pain are common symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, with recent neuroimaging and neuroimmunological findings suggesting that dysfunctional reward processing may represent a shared mechanism for these symptoms. Therapeutic focus on monoaminergic neurotransmission is key, but current treatments have limitations in addressing these symptoms effectively.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS JOURNAL
(2022)