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Manipulation of Dysfunctional Spinal Joints Affects Sensorimotor Integration in the Prefrontal Cortex: A Brain Source
Dina Lelic1, Imran Khan Niazi2, Kelly Holt3
1Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark.
Neural Plasticity
|April 6, 2016
Summary
Spinal manipulation (SM) in subclinical pain patients reduces N30 somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) amplitudes. This intervention alters cortical somatosensory processing, specifically impacting the prefrontal cortex.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Subclinical pain populations exhibit altered somatosensory processing.
- Previous studies indicate decreased N30 somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) peak amplitudes after spinal manipulation (SM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To verify findings of decreased N30 SEP amplitudes following SM in subclinical pain patients.
- To investigate the underlying brain sources responsible for these amplitude changes.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen subclinical pain volunteers underwent two sessions: SM and a control intervention.
- Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded using a 62-channel EEG cap before and after interventions.
- Brain electrical source analysis (BESA) was employed to model underlying brain sources.
Main Results:
- SM significantly decreased N30 SEP amplitude by 16.9% (P=0.02), unlike the control intervention (P=0.4).
- Brain source modeling identified a prefrontal cortical source with reduced activity (20.2%, P=0.03) following SM.
Conclusions:
- A single SM session in dysfunctional segments alters cortical somatosensory processing in subclinical pain patients.
- The prefrontal cortex is a key area affected by SM, showing reduced activity.
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