Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Multi-Modal Signals for Analyzing Pain Responses to Thermal and Electrical Stimuli
Published on: April 5, 2019
[Studies on cerebral processing of pain using functional imaging : Somatosensory, emotional, cognitive, autonomic and
M Valet1, T Sprenger, T R Tölle
1Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, München, Deutschland. valet@lrz.tum.de
Abstract:
Functional neuroimaging methods such as positron emission tomography (PET) or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provide fascinating insights into the cerebral processing of pain. Neuroimaging studies have shown that no clearly defined "pain centre" exists. Rather, an entire network of brain regions is involved in the processing of nociceptive information, which leads to the subjective impression of "pain". Sophisticated study designs nowadays permit the characterisation of different components of pain processing. In this review, we summarise neuroimaging studies, which contributed to the characterisation of these different aspects of cerebral pain processing, such as somatosensory (discrimination of different stimulus modalities, noxious vs non-noxious, summation), emotional, cognitive (attention, anticipation, distraction), vegetative (homeostasis) and motor aspects.
Related Concept Videos
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the stimulus...
Pain
Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
Brain Imaging
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Nociception

