Article
Neurosciences
Lukas D. Linde, Leah R. Bent, James P. Dickey, Dinesh A. Kumbhare, John Z. Srbely
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of experimentally induced central sensitization on upper limb muscle NWR thresholds. The results showed that experimentally induced CS at the C5-C6 segment significantly reduced NWR thresholds in some muscles of the upper limb.
EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Edward W. Lannon, Fabricio A. Jure, Ole Koeseler Andersen, Jamie L. Rhudy
Summary: Threat-induced pain modulation can increase survival by enhancing physiological and behavioral reactions toward danger. This study found that threat leads to significantly higher pain, larger nociceptive RRF5, and NWR magnitudes. Threat-induced changes in protective reflexes related to spinal nociceptive sensitivity and increased pain perception are likely mediated by top-down circuitry.
Article
Clinical Neurology
A. Guekos, A. C. Grata, M. Hubli, M. Schubert, P. Schweinhardt
Summary: This study aimed to replicate a published study and assess the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) response to painful heat. The results showed that tonic heat did not influence NWR magnitude, but different stimulation methods affected NWR response rates.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Selina Muehlemann, Massimo Leandri, Ase Ingvild Risberg, Claudia Spadavecchia
Summary: The study aimed to determine nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) tolerance in horses and compare threshold and tolerance reflexes. Results show that high-intensity stimuli can initiate ultrafast bursts of reflex activity.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zheng Ao, Hongwei Cai, Zhuhao Wu, Jonathan Krzesniak, Chunhui Tian, Yvonne Y. Lai, Ken Mackie, Feng Guo
Summary: The study introduces a human spinal organoid-on-a-chip device for modeling the biology and electrophysiology of human nociceptive neurons and dorsal horn interneurons. The device allows for testing nociceptive modulators and is cost-efficient, scalable, and easy to use. By integrating human sensory-spinal-cord organoids, the method shows promise for screening and validating novel therapeutics for human pain medicine discovery.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
C. Leone, A. Di Lionardo, G. Di Pietro, G. Di Stefano, P. Falco, A. J. Blockeel, O. Caspani, L. Garcia-Larrea, A. Mouraux, K. G. Phillips, R. D. Treede, A. Truini
Summary: This neurophysiological study investigated the effects of high-frequency stimulation (HFS) and capsaicin on pain threshold and RIII reflex threshold in healthy humans. Both HFS and capsaicin were found to similarly modulate these thresholds without a concomitant inhibitory effect on the endogenous pain modulatory system.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer, Karolina Werynska, Jacinthe Gingras, Gonzalo E. Yevenes
Summary: Restoring proper synaptic inhibition in the spinal cord, particularly through targeting the alpha 3 subtype of glycine receptors, may help reduce deleterious side effects and increase tolerability in chronic pain states. This review provides an update on the physiological properties and functions of alpha 3 subtype GlyRs and related drug discovery programs.
Review
Anesthesiology
Lou Cathenaut, Remy Schlichter, Sylvain Hugel
Summary: Somatosensory information is efficiently processed in the spinal cord by frequency-tuned synapses, which display activity-dependent forms of short-term plasticity. These properties allow for powerful gain control in neuronal networks and contribute to the integration of nociceptive messages and the effectiveness of nonpharmacological analgesic procedures.
Article
Neurosciences
Jesse K. Niehaus, Bonnie Taylor-Blake, Lipin Loo, Jeremy M. Simon, Mark J. Zylka
Summary: Peripheral nerve injury leads to long-term pro-inflammatory responses in spinal cord glial cells, but the identity of endogenous cells that resolve spinal inflammation has not been determined. Our study demonstrates that MRC1(+) spinal cord macrophages actively restrain glia to limit neuroinflammation and resolve mechanical pain following superficial injury, suggesting that therapeutic modulation of spinal macrophages could promote long-lasting recovery of neuropathic pain.
Review
Neurosciences
Giuliano Taccola, Ronaldo M. Ichiyama, V. Reggie Edgerton, Parag Gad
Summary: This review discusses the physiological states of spinal networks, highlighting the stochastic modulation by changing ensembles of proprioceptive and supraspinal input. Spinal epidural interfaces offer a platform for studying spinal network dynamics post-injury. Low-frequency epidural pulses can evoke motor responses with oscillatory patterns. The neural variability among spinal networks is seen as a fundamental mechanism of network design rather than noise interfering with movement control.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Evgenii Kim, Jeungeun Kum, Hyungmin Kim
Summary: Compared to current non-invasive methods, focused ultrasound provides better spatial resolution and penetration depth. This study investigates the application of trans-spinal focused ultrasound (tsFUS) on a mouse model to modulate the descending pathways in a non-invasive manner. The results show the ability of tsFUS to modulate motor signals and manage tremors safely, providing a foundation for the trans-spinal application of focused ultrasound to motor-related disorders.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL SYSTEMS AND REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Mauricio Carlos Henrich, Ken Steffen Frahm, Ole Kaeseler Andersen
Summary: This study investigated the integration of tempo-spatial aspects of nociceptive stimuli in the spinal cord, showing differential modulation in the Tibialis anterior and biceps femoris muscles based on the temporal characteristics of the stimuli and stimulated sites. These findings suggest the involvement of spinal neurons in integrating nociceptive information for an efficient defensive withdrawal response.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Anesthesiology
Evy Dhondt, Sophie Van Oosterwijck, Thomas Van Branteghem, Jamie L. Rhudy, Lieven Danneels, Jessica Van Oosterwijck
Summary: This study systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the effects of conservative therapy on spinal nociception measured through the assessment of the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR). The findings suggest that conservative interventions can decrease NFR area and NFR magnitude, and increase NFR latency by activating descending inhibitory pathways. This is important for preventing and treating chronic pain characterized by enhanced spinal nociception.
Article
Neurosciences
Steffen Franz, Laura Heutehaus, Anke Tappe-Theodor, Norbert Weidner, Rolf-Detlef Treede, Sigrid Schuh-Hofer
Summary: Investigating the response of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to noxious heat stimuli, this study found that SCI patients had significantly higher response rates and reflex magnitude compared to non-disabled controls. The motor hyperresponsiveness to heat was correlated with spasticity, but not neuropathic pain.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Roberto De Icco, Rosaria Greco, Chiara Demartini, Pietro Vergobbi, Annamaria Zanaboni, Elena Tumelero, Angelo Reggiani, Natalia Realini, Grazia Sances, Valentina Grillo, Marta Allena, Cristina Tassorelli
Summary: This study found a role for PEA in the ictal phase of episodic migraine and no significant correlations between the endocannabinoid system (ES) and neurophysiological parameters. NTG-induced central sensitization and the observed increase in PEA levels and spinal sensitization were parallel and likely unrelated phenomena.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Kristine Bennedsgaard, Kasper Grosen, Nadine Attal, Didier Bouhassira, Geert Crombez, Troels S. Jensen, David L. Bennett, Lise Ventzel, Inge S. Andersen, Nanna B. Finnerup
Summary: This study investigated the symptoms, intensity, and interference of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in breast cancer survivors. It found that although less common, foot pain in patients who received chemotherapy was more intense and had a higher interference with daily life compared to pain in the surgical area.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Soren Nicolai Frederiksen Hostrup, Soren Francis Dyhrberg O'Neill, Jesper Bie Larsen, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Kristian Kjaer Petersen
Summary: This study introduces a newly developed bed-side quantitative sensory testing device for assessing muscle pressure pain intensity, hyperalgesia, and temporal summation of pain. The study found that pressure pain intensity significantly increased after DOMS induction, but temporal summation of pain was not affected by DOMS.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Kristian D. Lyng, Jesper B. Larsen, Kathryn A. Birnie, Jennifer Stinson, Morten S. Hoegh, Thorvaldur S. Palsson, Anne E. Olesen, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Lars H. Ehlers, Kirsten Fonager, Martin B. Jensen, Hanne Wurtzen, Patricia A. Poulin, Gitte Handberg, Connie Ziegler, Lars B. Moller, Judi Olsen, Lotte Heise, Michael S. Rathleff
Summary: This study aimed to establish research priorities for chronic musculoskeletal pain by engaging with patients, relatives, healthcare professionals, and researchers. The findings of this study identified specific research questions and highlighted the importance of prioritizing the healthcare system's ability to support patients and developing coherent pathways between sectors.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Fin Biering-Sorensen, Susan Charlifue, Yuying Chen, Peter W. New, Vanessa Noonan, Marcel W. M. Post, Rudiger Rupp, Lawrence Vogel
Summary: This study aimed to update the International Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Core Data Set while maintaining standardized data reporting. Through expert opinion, feedback, and revisions, a final consensus was reached. The latest version of the data set consists of 21 variables, which can be used to uniformly describe SCI populations worldwide and facilitate result comparison.
Article
Anesthesiology
Rocco Giordano, Maria Carla Gerra, Hiroai Okutani, Silvia Lo Vecchio, Allan Stensballe, Kristian Kjaer-Staal Petersen, Lars Arendt-Nielsen
Summary: This study evaluated the temporal expression of circulating miRNAs in the plasma of healthy volunteers after acute experimental pain. The results showed that several miRNAs were altered after acute pain, and miRNAs associated with pain processes were changed in the pain group.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ahmad Rujoie, Ole Kaeseler Andersen, Ken Steffen Frahm
Summary: The objective of this study was to implement, test, and validate a new laser stimulation system that controls skin temperature by continuously adjusting laser output during stimulus movement. The results showed that more accurate and less variable laser stimulations were delivered to the skin during a movable stimulus using closed-loop control.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Stefano Di Antonio, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Marta Ponzano, Francesca Bovis, Paola Torelli, Cinzia Finocchi, Matteo Castaldo
Summary: The aim of this study was to profile migraine patients based on their clinical and psychophysical characteristics. Two cohorts of migraine patients (episodic/chronic) were included in this observational study. The study found that in the ictal/perictal phase, there were two clusters identified, one without psychophysical impairment and one with increased pain-sensitivity and cervical musculoskeletal dysfunctions. In the interictal phase, three clusters were identified, one without psychophysical impairment, one with increased pain-sensitivity, and one with increased pain-sensitivity and cervical musculoskeletal dysfunctions.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yuying Chen, Susan Charlifue, Vanessa K. Noonan, Peter W. New, Gopalkrishna Gururaj, Shinsuke Katoh, Hakon Leiulfsrud, Marcel W. Post, Fin Biering-Sorensen
Summary: A consensus-based study design was used to create an International SCI Socio-Demographic Basic Data Set. This data set includes variables such as date of data collection, marital status, household member count, years of formal education, and primary occupation. The data set will facilitate uniform data collection and reporting to enable evaluation and comparison across studies.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Juerg Schliessbach, Andreas Siegenthaler, Thomas Graven-Nielsen, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Michele Curatolo
Summary: This study investigated the influence of endogenous pain inhibition on spreading hyperalgesia in experimental muscle pain. The results showed that individuals with facilitating conditioned pain modulation (CPM) were more likely to experience spreading hyperalgesia compared to those with inhibitory CPM. These findings suggest that poor endogenous pain modulation may predispose to muscle pain and spreading hyperalgesia, and highlight the potential clinical benefits of strategies to enhance endogenous pain modulation.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Allan Vestergaard Danielsen, Jan Jesper Andreasen, Birthe Dinesen, John Hansen, Kristian Kjaer-Staal Petersen, Carsten Simonsen, Lars Arendt-Nielsen
Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate if preoperative pain mechanisms, anxiety, and depression increase the risk of chronic postthoracotomy pain (CPTP) in lung cancer surgery. The findings suggest that higher preoperative anxiety and depression scores, preoperative neuropathic pain symptoms, and acute postoperative pain are associated with the development of CPTP. No differences were found in preoperative quantitative sensory testing assessments.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Johan Liseth Hansen, Markus Heilig, Eija Kalso, Audun Stubhaug, Douglas Knutsson, Patrik Sandin, Patricia Dorling, Craig Beck, Emilie Toresson Grip, Karin Hygge Blakeman, Lars Arendt-Nielsen
Summary: This study examines problematic opioid use in osteoarthritis patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. The results show that 13.7% of patients were classified as problematic users and had more comorbidities and higher pre-surgery opioid doses. The study suggests that clinicians should carefully assess pain management strategies for patients with comorbidities and pre-operative, long-term opioid use.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Kristian Kjaer-Staal Petersen, Kuebra Kilic, Emma Hertel, Trine Hyttel Sejersgaard-Jacobsen, Marlene Kanstrup Jorgensen, Anders Troelsen, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, Dennis Boye Larsen
Summary: Emerging evidence suggests that quantitative sensory testing (QST) can predict the response to pain-relieving therapies. This systematic review and meta-analysis focus on the predictive value of QST for pain management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The results show that pretreatment QST parameters can predict the efficacy of surgical, pharmaceutical, and exercise-based therapies for OA pain.
Article
Anesthesiology
Lars Arendt Nielsen, Joletta Belton, Mary Cardosa
Summary: The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) advocates for improved pain relief and access to pain management through various means, including organizing Global Year and Pain Awareness Month events, publishing timely statements, and recognizing chronic pain as a distinct disease. They also emphasize the importance of involving individuals with lived experience of pain in achieving their mission.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Eva Widerstrom-Noga, Fin Biering-Sorensen, Thomas N. Bryce, Diana D. Cardenas, Nanna B. Finnerup, Mark P. Jensen, J. Scott Richards, Jan Rosner, Julian Taylor
Summary: To update the International Spinal Cord Injury Pain Basic Data Set (ISCIPBDS version 2.0) and incorporate suggestions from the SCI pain clinical and research community, the study group revised the ISCIPBDS (Version 3.0) through expert opinion, feedback, revisions, and final consensus, making the dataset more flexible and useful.
Article
Rehabilitation
Mia Moth Wolffbrandt, Pernille Langer Soendergaard, Fin Biering-Sorensen, Linda Sundekilde, Amanda Kjeldgaard, Trine Schow, Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla, Anne Norup
Summary: This study aimed to explore the experiences of families participating in a family intervention targeting the consequences of acquired brain injury (ABI) or spinal cord injury (SCI). The intervention helped families strengthen communication and emotional control, acknowledge the changed life situation, and see each other as whole persons. It emphasized the importance of a family-centered approach in neurorehabilitation and the role of healthcare professionals in facilitating family cohesion.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jaakko Vallinoja, Timo Nurmi, Julia Jaatela, Vincent Wens, Mathieu Bourguignon, Helena Maenpaa, Harri Piitulainen
Summary: The study aimed to assess the effects of lesions related to spastic diplegic cerebral palsy on functional connectivity. Using multiple imaging modalities, the researchers found enhanced functional connectivity in the sensorimotor network of individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, which was not correlated with hand coordination performance.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Francesca Ginatempo, Nicola Loi, John C. Rothwell, Franca Deriu
Summary: This study comprehensively investigated sensorimotor integration in the cranial-cervical muscles of healthy adults and found that the integration of sensory inputs with motor output is profoundly influenced by the type of sensory afferent involved and the functional role played by the target muscle.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2024)
