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Brain source connectivity reveals the visceral pain network
Dina Lelic1, Søren Schou Olesen, Massimiliano Valeriani
1Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University, Denmark. dl@mech-sense.com
Neuroimage
|December 20, 2011
Summary
Brain networks and neural firing frequencies are key to visceral pain perception. This study identified specific brain networks and their frequencies involved in processing visceral pain signals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Visceral pain processing involves multiple brain structures.
- Recent research suggests brain network communication, not isolated areas, underlies pain perception.
- Neural firing frequency may differentiate pain from other sensory modalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify brain networks and their associated neural firing frequencies in response to visceral pain.
- To investigate the role of brain cross-communication in visceral pain perception.
- To validate multichannel matching pursuit (MMP) for studying brain activity in pain.
Main Methods:
- Evoked potentials were recorded from 12 healthy volunteers using a 62-channel system after esophageal electrical stimulation.
- Multichannel matching pursuit (MMP) and dipolar source localization were employed to analyze brain activity.
- Reproducible brain activity components were identified and analyzed across subjects in a test/retest design.
Main Results:
- Three distinct brain networks were identified through MMP and source localization.
- An early network (~8.3 Hz and ~3.5 Hz) involved the brainstem, operculum, and pre-frontal cortex, peaking around 77 ms.
- Subsequent networks included the operculum, amygdala, mid-cingulate, and anterior-cingulate (~4.5 Hz), followed by a persistent operculum and mid-cingulate network (~2.1 Hz).
Conclusions:
- The operculum plays a central role in integrating visceral pain perception.
- Multichannel matching pursuit (MMP) is a reliable method for investigating upstream brain activity related to pain.
- Specific neural firing frequencies are associated with distinct phases of visceral pain processing.
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