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06:29
Electrophysiological Measurement of Noxious-evoked Brain Activity in Neonates Using a Flat-tip Probe Coupled to Electroencephalography
Published on: November 29, 2017
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Stroking modulates noxious-evoked brain activity in human infants.
Deniz Gursul1, Sezgi Goksan1, Caroline Hartley1
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
Current Biology : CB
|December 19, 2018
Summary
Gentle touch activates C-tactile (CT) afferents, which can reduce pain perception. Stroking infants at 3 cm/s before a noxious stimulus attenuated brain activity, suggesting CT fibres as a target for pain modulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pain Research
Background:
- C-tactile (CT) afferents, a subclass of sensory neurons in hairy skin, respond to gentle touch (optimal stroking at ~1-10 cm/s) and are linked to affiliative behaviors.
- In adults, CT afferent stimulation is perceived as pleasant and can decrease pain perception.
- Touch-based interventions like infant massage and kangaroo care are used to comfort infants, with some studies showing modest reductions in pain responses.
Discussion:
- This study investigated the effect of gentle touch on noxious-evoked brain activity in infants.
- Results indicate that stroking at 3 cm/s prior to experimental noxious stimuli or clinical heel lance can reduce brain activity associated with pain in infants.
- CT afferents may serve as a biological pathway for non-pharmacological pain modulation in early life.
Key Insights:
- Gentle touch, specifically stroking at 3 cm/s, can attenuate noxious-evoked brain activity in infants.
- C-tactile (CT) afferent stimulation shows potential for reducing pain perception in infants.
- This research highlights a potential non-pharmacological approach for managing infant pain.
Outlook:
- Further research could explore the long-term effects of touch-based pain modulation in infants.
- Investigating optimal stroking parameters for different age groups and pain types is warranted.
- Translating these findings into clinical practice could improve infant pain management strategies.
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