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Genetic Influence on Nociceptive Processing in the Human Brain-A Twin Study.
Gránit Kastrati1,2, Jörgen Rosén2, William H Thompson1
1Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|July 21, 2021
Summary
Genetic factors influence how the brain processes pain, specifically in areas like the midcingulate cortex and posterior insula. These genetic effects also impact functional connectivity, offering insights into pain perception and potential treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pain Perception
Background:
- Nociceptive processing varies among individuals, impacting pain perception.
- Understanding individual differences in pain processing is crucial for developing effective pain management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify brain structures and functional connectivity patterns influenced by genetic factors in nociceptive processing.
- To elucidate the genetic underpinnings of interindividual differences in pain perception.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a classic twin-design study.
- Analyzed cerebral responses to nociception and functional connectivity (FC).
Main Results:
- Identified genetic influences on nociceptive processing in the midcingulate cortex and bilateral posterior insula.
- Found genetic contributions to large-scale functional connectivity during nociceptive processing.
- Genetic influence extends beyond core pain regions to cognitive and affective brain circuitry.
Conclusions:
- Additive genetics play a significant role in shaping specific brain regions involved in nociception.
- Genetic factors influence functional connectivity in both core and broader brain networks related to pain processing.
- Findings enhance understanding of human pain perception and may lead to novel clinical pain treatments.
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