Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic, centralized pain condition characterized by alterations in the functional, chemical, and structural brain networks responsible for sensory mood processing. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as potential treatment FM. tDCS can alter functional connectivity (FC) regions underneath distant to stimulating electrode, although analgesic mechanisms of repetitive remain unknown. The aim this study was investigate how clinically relevant...

We developed a unique protocol where transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the motor cortex is performed during positron emission tomography (PET) scan using μ-opioid receptor (μOR) selective radiotracer, [(11)C]carfentanil. This one most important central neuromechanisms associated with pain perception and regulation. measured μOR non-displaceable binding potential (μOR BP(ND)) in trigeminal neuropathic patient (TNP) without creating artifacts, or posing risks to (e.g.,...

Objective Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to improve pain symptoms in fibromyalgia (FM), a central syndrome whose underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study was undertaken explore the neurochemical action of tDCS brain patients with FM, using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H‐MRS). Methods Twelve FM underwent sham over left motor cortex (anode placement) and contralateral supraorbital (cathode for 5 consecutive days, followed by 7‐day...

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a method of non-invasive brain stimulation that has been frequently used in experimental and clinical pain studies. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying tDCS-mediated control, most important its placebo component, are not completely established. In this pilot study, we investigated vivo involvement endogenous μ-opioid system global tDCS-analgesia experience. Nine healthy volunteers went through positron emission tomography (PET) scans...

Background: Although population studies have greatly improved our understanding of migraine, they relied on retrospective self-reports that are subject to memory error and experimenter-induced bias. Furthermore, these also lack specifics from the actual time attacks were occurring, how patients express share their ongoing suffering.

The moment-to-moment variability of resting-state brain activity has been suggested to play an active role in chronic pain. Here, we investigated the regional blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal (BOLDSV) and inter-regional dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) interictal phase migraine its relationship with attack severity.We acquired magnetic resonance imaging from 20 patients 26 healthy controls (HC). We calculated standard deviation (SD) BOLD time-series at each voxel as a measure...

To evaluate in vivo the dynamics of endogenous dopamine (DA) neurotransmission during migraine ictus with allodynia.We examined 8 episodic migraineurs and healthy controls (HC) using PET [11C]raclopride. The uptake measure [11C]raclopride, nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND), would increase when there was a reduction DA release. opposite is true for decrease [11C]raclopride BPND. Patients were scanned twice: one session spontaneous at rest, followed by sustained thermal pain threshold...

Background: Although neuroimaging techniques have provided insights into the function of brain regions involved in Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain (TNP) humans, there is little understanding molecular mechanisms affected during course this disorder. Understanding these processes crucial to determine systems development and persistence TNP. Findings: In study, we examined regional μ-opioid receptor (μOR) availability vivo (non-displaceable binding potential BP ND ) TNP patients with positron...

Background: For many years, clinicians have been seeking for objective pain assessment solutions via neuroimaging techniques, focusing on the brain to detect human pain. Unfortunately, most of those techniques are not applicable in clinical environment or lack accuracy. Objective: This study aimed test feasibility a mobile neuroimaging-based augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) framework, CLARAi, detection also localization direct from patient's real time. Methods:...

To evaluate, in vivo, the impact of ongoing chronic migraine (CM) attacks on endogenous μ-opioid neurotransmission. CM is associated with cognitive-emotional dysfunction. commonly frequent acute medication use, including opioids. We scanned 15 patients during spontaneous headache attack (ictal phase): 7 individuals and 8 episodic (EM), as well healthy controls (HC), using positron emission tomography (PET) selective receptor (μOR) radiotracer [11C]carfentanil. Migraineurs were two paradigms,...

We evaluated in vivo the μ-opioid system during spontaneous episodic migraine headaches. Seven patients were scanned at different phases of their using positron emission tomography with selective receptor (μOR) radiotracer [11C]carfentanil. In ictal phase, there was μOR activation medial prefrontal cortex, which strongly associated availability level interictal phase. Furthermore, binding changes showed moderate negative correlation combined extension and severity attacks. These results...

Migraine is a common and debilitating pain disorder associated with dysfunction of the central nervous system. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have reported relevant pathophysiologic states in migraine. However, its molecular mechanistic processes are still poorly understood

We investigated in vivo the allodynic response of central μ-opioid system during spontaneous migraine headaches, following a sustained pain threshold challenge on trigeminal ophthalmic region. Six migraineurs were scanned ictal and interictal phases using positron emission tomography (PET) with selective receptor (μOR) radiotracer [11C]carfentanil. Females mid-late follicular phase two separate cycles. Patients showed allodynia thermal that was concurrent positively correlated μOR activation...

To quantify pain severity in patients and the efficacy treatments, researchers clinicians apply tools such as traditional visual analog scale (VAS) that leads to inaccurate interpretation of main sensory pain.This study aimed validate measurements a neuroscience-based 3D body mobile app called GeoPain.Patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) were assessed using GeoPain measures comparison VAS positive negative affect schedule (PANAS), mood scales, respectively. Principal component...

A dental appointment commonly prompts fear of a painful experience, yet we have never fully understood how our brains react to the expectation imminent tooth pain once in chair. In study, 21 patients with hypersensitive teeth were tested using nonpainful and stimuli clinical setting. Subjects chair functional near-infrared spectroscopy measure cortical activity during stepwise cold stimulation tooth, as well control on same tooth. Patients' sensory-discriminative emotional-cognitive regions...

Patients with head and neck cancer often experience a significant decrease in their quality of life during chemoradiotherapy (CRT) due to treatment-related pain, which is frequently classified as severe. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) method non-invasive brain that has been used experimental clinical pain studies. In this pilot study, we investigated the impact central mechanisms twenty primary motor cortex (M1) sessions tDCS seven weeks CRT for cancer. From 48 patients...

Purpose: It has been suggested that reward system dysfunction may account for emotion and pain suffering in migraine. However, there is a lack of evidence whether the altered connectivity directly associated with clinical manifestations, including negative affect ictal severity and, at molecular level, dopamine (DA) D2/D3 receptors (D2/3Rs) signaling implicated encoding motivational emotional cues. Patients Methods: We acquired resting-state functional MRI from interictal episodic migraine...

Pain is a complex experience that involves sensory-discriminative and cognitive-emotional neuronal processes. It has long been known across cultures pain can be relieved by mindful breathing (MB). There common assumption MB exerts its analgesic effect through interoception. Interoception refers to consciously refocusing the mind's attention physical sensation of internal organ function.

Clinicians have the dilemma of prescribing opioid or nonopioid analgesics to chronic pain patients; however, impact on our endogenous µ-opioid system and how genetic profile (specifically catechol-O-methyltransferase [COMT] polymorphisms) impacts its activation are currently unknown. Twelve temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients 12 healthy controls (HCs) were scanned using positron emission tomography (PET) with [11C]carfentanil, a selective radioligand for receptors (µORs). The first 45...

This study used an emerging brain imaging technique, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), to investigate activation and connectivity that modulates sometimes traumatic pain experience in a clinical setting. Hemodynamic responses were recorded at bilateral somatosensory (S1) prefrontal cortices (PFCs) from 12 patients with dentin hypersensitivity dental chair before, during, after pain. Clinical was triggered 20 consecutive descending cold stimulations (32° 0°C) the affected teeth....

A growing body of research, generated primarily from MRI-based studies, shows that migraine appears to occur, and possibly endure, due the alteration specific neural processes in central nervous system. However, information is lacking on molecular impact these changes, especially endogenous opioid system during headaches, neuronavigation through changes has never been done. This study aimed investigate, using a novel 3D immersive interactive (3D-IIN) approach, µ-opioid transmission brain...