Characterization of visual processing in temporomandibular disorders using functional magnetic resonance imaging
Daniel E Harper1,2, Kaundinya Gopinath3, Jeremy L Smith3
1Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Brain and Behavior
|February 16, 2023
Summary
Patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) show altered brain connectivity, suggesting issues with sensory integration and attention. This chronic pain condition may involve maladaptive brain networks impacting multisensory processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Pain Research
Background:
- Chronic pain patients often experience hypersensitivity to various stimuli.
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are associated with such multisensory hypersensitivities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate functional connectivity (FC) differences in TMD patients versus controls.
- To analyze brain network activity during a visual fMRI task with a strobing stimulus.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study with 16 participants (10 TMD, 6 controls).
- Clinical pain assessed via self-report questionnaires.
- Task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analyzed using group independent component analysis.
Main Results:
- TMD subjects showed increased FC between default mode and lateral prefrontal networks (attention/executive function).
- Impaired FC was observed between the frontoparietal network and visual processing areas in TMD patients.
Conclusions:
- TMD is linked to brain network maladaptations.
- Deficits in multisensory integration, default mode network function, and visual attention may underlie TMD pain mechanisms.
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