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Is there hemispheric specialization in the chronic pain brain?
Maral Tajerian1, Michael Amrami2, John Michael Betancourt3
1Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Queens, NY 11367, USA; The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Experimental Neurology
|June 7, 2022
Summary
Brain hemisphere specialization in pain processing remains unclear. This review highlights conflicting evidence in humans and rodents, suggesting future research will clarify chronic pain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Neurobiology
Background:
- Bilateral symmetry in organisms often correlates with specialized brain hemispheres.
- Pain processing and brain plasticity are critical areas of recent research.
- Brain imaging and molecular studies have identified pain-related brain regions and mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and evaluate evidence for hemispheric specialization in pain processing.
- To compare findings across human and rodent pain models.
- To identify reasons for conflicting data on pain-related asymmetry.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on pain and brain asymmetry.
- Analysis of noninvasive brain imaging studies in humans.
- Evaluation of invasive molecular and biochemical studies in animal models.
Main Results:
- Evidence for pain-related hemispheric asymmetry is conflicting and inconsistent.
- Localization of pain asymmetry varies across studies.
- Heterogeneity in pain pathways, study parameters, and data reporting contribute to discrepancies.
Conclusions:
- The extent and localization of pain-related hemispheric specialization are not well-understood.
- Future advancements in neuroimaging and animal models will likely improve understanding.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of each brain hemisphere in chronic pain processing.
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