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Chronic Post-Ischemia Pain Model for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type-I in Rats
Published on: January 21, 2020
Posterior insular molecular changes in myofascial pain
G E Gerstner1, R H Gracely, A Deebajah
1Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry, 1011 N. University Ave., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA. geger@umich.edu
Journal of Dental Research
|March 28, 2012
Summary
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) involve central nervous system changes. Neuroimaging reveals altered brain chemistry in TMD patients, suggesting adaptive molecular alterations in response to chronic pain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are complex craniocervical pain conditions with poorly understood causes.
- Central nervous system involvement is suspected in TMD, but neuroimaging evidence is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate central neurochemical changes in individuals with myofascial TMD using magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
- To compare brain metabolite levels between TMD patients and healthy controls before and after pain provocation.
Main Methods:
- Single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) was employed.
- Metabolite levels (glutamate, glutamine, NAA, choline) were measured in the posterior insulae of TMD patients and controls.
- Measurements were taken before and after controlled pressure-pain testing.
Main Results:
- Glutamate levels decreased significantly in all participants post-pain testing.
- TMD patients exhibited higher baseline levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and choline (Cho) in the left insula compared to controls.
- Left insular glutamine (Gln) levels correlated with reported pain intensity in TMD patients.
- NAA levels were associated with the duration of pain symptoms in TMD individuals.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest significant central cellular and molecular alterations in the brains of individuals with TMD.
- These changes may represent adaptive responses to chronic pain, highlighting the role of the central nervous system in TMD pathophysiology.
