Neurobiology of Chronic Pain, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

This article describes the neurobiology of psychological injuries-chronic pain, concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), and fear/posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-toward elucidating common mechanisms in central and peripheral sensitization that contribute to their onset, exacerbation, and maintenance. Central sensitization refers to central nervous system (CNS) and related processes, while peripheral sensitization is typically referred to as receptor field expansion. The three psychological injury diagnoses/conditions are accompanied by impairments in function after negligent events (such as motor vehicle accidents (MVAs)) that lead to tort court action.

The conducted literature review involved an extensive scoping review of recent neurobiological literature on chronic pain, PTSD, and MTBI. The literature review sought biological markers that distinguish them.

For chronic pain, concussion/MTBI, and fear/PTSD, this article reviewed definitions and critical neurobiological research. The literature review did not find evidence of biological markers, but the role of sensitization emerged as important.

Common therapeutic processes, such as focusing on sensitization, might be helpful for these conditions. As for causal mechanisms related to sensitization in the causality of psychological injuries, the major ones hypothesized relate to the biopsychosocial model, psychological control, and activation-inhibition coordination.