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CRPS Is Not Associated with Altered Sensorimotor Cortex GABA or Glutamate
Barbara Lee1, Luke A Henderson2, Caroline D Rae3
1Department of Anatomy and Histology, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia.
Eneuro
|January 26, 2020
Summary
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) does not alter sensorimotor GABA or glutamate levels, challenging the disinhibition hypothesis. Tactile acuity deficits in CRPS patients were not linked to these neurotransmitter changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition often affecting limbs.
- CRPS is linked to central nervous system (CNS) changes, including sensorimotor cortex reorganization.
- A leading hypothesis suggests CRPS involves cortical disinhibition due to reduced GABA activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if altered sensorimotor GABA and glutamate concentrations are associated with CRPS.
- To examine the relationship between these neurotransmitter levels and tactile acuity in CRPS patients.
Main Methods:
- Used edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure sensorimotor GABA and glutamate.
- Compared concentrations in 16 CRPS patients and 30 healthy controls.
- Assessed tactile acuity in the affected and unaffected hands of CRPS patients.
Main Results:
- Individuals with upper limb CRPS showed reduced tactile acuity in the painful hand.
- No significant differences in sensorimotor GABA or glutamate concentrations were found between CRPS patients and controls.
- No correlation was observed between neurotransmitter levels and tactile acuity in either group.
Conclusions:
- The study's findings do not support the hypothesis that CRPS is associated with altered total sensorimotor GABA or glutamate concentrations.
- Reduced tactile acuity in CRPS is not explained by changes in overall sensorimotor GABA or glutamate levels.
- Other GABAergic mechanisms, not measured here, might still contribute to cortical disinhibition in CRPS.
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