A primary auditory cortex-anterior cingulate cortex circuit underlying cross-modal visceral pain modulation.
Yang Yu1,2, Wen-Qiong Kuang2, Yu-Hang He2
1Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Nature Communications
|February 4, 2026
Summary
Music therapy may alleviate visceral pain by modulating brain circuits. This study identified a neural pathway where stress impacts auditory processing, leading to pain, and music restores normal function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Processing
- Pain Research
Background:
- Visceral pain lacks effective treatments.
- Music shows analgesic potential.
- Auditory and pain pathways interact.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify neural circuits linking auditory processing and visceral pain.
- Investigate music's effect on these circuits.
- Provide a basis for music therapy in visceral pain.
Main Methods:
- Used a mouse model of early-life stress.
- Identified a cortico-cortical circuit (Au1-ACC).
- Examined neuronal activity (GABAergic and glutamatergic).
Main Results:
- Early-life stress suppresses Au1 inhibitory neurons, disinhibiting ACC excitatory neurons, causing visceral hypersensitivity.
- Music intervention restores Au1 inhibitory activity and reduces ACC excitatory activity.
- The Au1-ACC circuit mediates stress-induced visceral pain and music-induced analgesia.
Conclusions:
- The Au1-ACC circuit is crucial for stress-induced visceral pain.
- This circuit is a target for music-induced analgesia.
- Findings support clinical translation of music therapy for visceral pain.
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