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Structural and Functional Brain Abnormalities in Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Systematic Review
Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache
|September 2, 2020
Summary
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients exhibit structural brain differences and altered functional connectivity in resting-state networks, suggesting central mechanisms contribute to the condition. Further research integrating advanced neuroimaging techniques is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a debilitating neuropathic pain condition.
- Understanding the central mechanisms of TN is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers insights into structural and functional brain alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and evaluate the literature on structural and functional brain abnormalities in TN.
- To elucidate the central mechanisms underlying trigeminal neuralgia using advanced MRI techniques.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases up to January 2019.
- Eligible studies were assessed for methodological quality and risk of bias by two independent researchers.
- Included studies utilized various brain MRI techniques to investigate structural and functional changes.
Main Results:
- Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria, with moderate methodological quality.
- Evidence suggests structural gray matter changes in specific brain regions and white matter alterations in TN patients.
- Functional MRI revealed altered resting-state activation and connectivity in pain-related brain networks.
Conclusions:
- Moderate evidence supports structural brain differences in cortical and subcortical regions in TN patients.
- TN is associated with altered resting-state functional connectivity in pain-related pathways.
- Future research should employ longitudinal designs and integrate multimodal neuroimaging techniques.
