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Khatib L, Dean JG, Oliva V, Riegner G, Gonzalez NE, Birenbaum J, Cruanes GF, Miller J, Patterson M, Kim HC, Chakravarthy K, Zeidan F. The role of endogenous opioids in mindfulness and sham mindfulness-meditation for the direct alleviation of evoked chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1069-1077. [PMID: 37985872 PMCID: PMC11109232 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01766-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is the most prevalent chronic pain condition. There are no treatments that haven been found to directly assuage evoked cLBP. To this extent, mindfulness-meditation is a promising pain therapy. Yet, it is unclear if meditation can be utilized to directly attenuate evoked chronic pain through endogenous opioids. A double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial with a drug crossover design examined if mindfulness-meditation, as compared to sham mindfulness-meditation, attenuated straight leg-raise test evoked chronic pain during intravenous (0.15 mg/kg bolus + 0.15 mg/kg/hour maintenance) naloxone (opioid antagonist) and placebo-saline infusion. Fifty-nine individuals with cLBP (mean age = 46 years; 30 females) completed all study procedures. After the pre-intervention pain testing session, patients were randomized to a four-session (20-min/session) mindfulness (n = 30) or sham mindfulness-meditation (n = 29) intervention. After the interventions, mindfulness and sham mindfulness-meditation were associated with significant reductions in back pain during saline and naloxone infusion when compared to rest (non-meditation) in response to the cLBP-evoking straight leg-raise test. These results indicate that meditation directly reduces evoked chronic pain through non-opioidergic processes. Importantly, after the interventions, the mindfulness group reported significantly lower straight leg-raise induced pain than the sham mindfulness-meditation group during rest (non-meditation) and meditation. Mindfulness and sham mindfulness-meditation training was also associated with significantly lower Brief Pain Inventory severity and interference scores. The pain-relieving effects of mindfulness meditation were more pronounced than a robust sham-mindfulness meditation intervention, suggesting that non-reactive appraisal processes may be uniquely associated with improvements in chronic low-back pain.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04034004.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lora Khatib
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jon G Dean
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Valeria Oliva
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel Riegner
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nailea E Gonzalez
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Julia Birenbaum
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gael F Cruanes
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Miller
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Marta Patterson
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hyun-Chung Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Fadel Zeidan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Martucci KT. Neuroimaging of opioid effects in humans across conditions of acute administration, chronic pain therapy, and opioid use disorder. Trends Neurosci 2024:S0166-2236(24)00063-8. [PMID: 38762362 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2024.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Evidence of central nervous system (CNS) exogenous opioid effects in humans has been primarily gained through neuroimaging of three participant populations: individuals after acute opioid administration, those with opioid use disorder (OUD), and those with chronic pain receiving opioid therapy. In both the brain and spinal cord, opioids alter processes of pain, cognition, and reward. Opioid-related CNS effects may persist and accumulate with longer opioid use duration. Meanwhile, opioid-induced benefits versus risks to brain health remain unclear. This review article highlights recent accumulating evidence for how exogenous opioids impact the CNS in humans. While investigation of CNS opioid effects has remained largely disparate across contexts of opioid acute administration, OUD, and chronic pain opioid therapy, integration across these contexts may enable advancement toward effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine T Martucci
- Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience Lab, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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3
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Totsch SK, Sorge RE. A novel investigation of placebo analgesia through social communication in mice. Behav Brain Res 2024; 459:114773. [PMID: 38000532 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In rodents, placebo analgesia is often investigated through direct conditioning of stimuli, but humans can experience placebo analgesia through expectation without experience. In this study, we sought to determine whether placebo analgesia could be elicited through social communication. METHODS Male and female mice were housed in pairs (designated "Active" and "Bystander") and tested for thermal thresholds on a hot plate (53 °C). Food restriction (1 hr/day) was implemented. The Active mouse was taken to a new cage with food dusted with cocoa (COC) or cinnamon (CINN). The Bystander mice were given regular chow in the home cage. After feeding, the Active mice were given morphine (5 mg/kg, SC) or saline and tested on the hot plate. After 5 pairings of a flavor and treatment (counterbalanced), Active mice were tested following access to a flavored food. Bystander mice were given their first direct exposure to a flavored food and tested on the hot plate. The protocol was repeated with naloxone (10 mg/kg, IP) administered prior to testing. Finally, mice were tested in a two-choice test with both flavored foods available. RESULTS Active mice showed a conditioned analgesic response to the morphine-paired flavor that was reduced by naloxone. Bystander mice showed a placebo analgesic response to their cagemate's morphine-paired flavor that was not significantly impacted by naloxone. Bystander mice spent more time in the chamber associated with their cagemate's morphine-paired flavor. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of placebo analgesia without direct conditioning, instead relying on social communication between mice. The lack of effect with naloxone pretreatment suggests an opioid-independent effect in the Bystander mice. Placebo analgesia in mice may be possible without direct conditioning to better model the effect of expectation of a novel analgesic in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacie K Totsch
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States
| | - Robert E Sorge
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States.
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4
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Boissoneault J, Stennett-Blackmon B, Gilmour C, Blaes S. Neural and Psychosocial Mechanisms Underlying Alcohol Use and Pain Interactions: Overview of Current Evidence and Future Directions. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2023; 10:677-689. [PMID: 38645279 PMCID: PMC11031255 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-023-00518-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Purpose of Review A growing body of research indicates bidirectional associations between alcohol use and pain. In this review, we highlight common neural and psychosocial mechanisms underlying pain and alcohol use and identify current gaps in the literature regarding alcohol/pain interactions. We also suggest future directions for the field moving forward, including more nuanced conceptualization of alcohol's negative reinforcing effects in the context of pain, broader use of clinically-relevant experimental pain induction modalities, and characterization of age, biological sex, gender, race, and ethnicity as moderators of pain/alcohol interactions. Recent Findings Acute alcohol intake has analgesic and negative-reinforcing effects in the context of pain, and chronic heavy alcohol use appears to increase risk for development of chronic pain. At the same time, pain, both acute and chronic, acts as a proximal antecedent for alcohol use and is associated with relapse risk for individuals in recovery from alcohol use disorder. Summary Although the links between alcohol use and pain are increasingly appreciated, significant gaps in understanding remain and systematic study of alcohol/pain interactions at all levels, including basic, preclinical, translational, and interventional, is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Boissoneault
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Bethany Stennett-Blackmon
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christina Gilmour
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shelby Blaes
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Inherited pain hypersensitivity and increased anxiety-like behaviors are associated with genetic epilepsy in Wistar Audiogenic Rats: Short- and long-term effects of acute and chronic seizures on nociception and anxiety. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 141:109160. [PMID: 36907082 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety and pain hypersensitivity are neurobehavioral comorbidities commonly reported by patients with epilepsies, and preclinical models are suitable to investigate the neurobiology of behavioral and neuropathological alterations associated with these epilepsy-related comorbidities. This work aimed to characterize endogenous alterations in nociceptive threshold and anxiety-like behaviors in the Wistar Audiogenic Rat (WAR) model of genetic epilepsy. We also assessed the effects of acute and chronic seizures on anxiety and nociception. WARs from acute and chronic seizure protocols were divided into two groups to assess short- and long-term changes in anxiety (1 day or 15 days after seizures, respectively). To assess anxiety-like behaviors, the laboratory animals were submitted to the open field, light-dark box, and elevated plus maze tests. The von Frey, acetone, and hot plate tests were used to measure the endogenous nociception in seizure-free WARs, and postictal antinociception was recorded at 10, 30, 60, 120, 180 min, and 24 h after seizures. Seizure-free WARs presented increased anxiety-like behaviors and pain hypersensitivity, displaying mechanical and thermal allodynia (to heat and cold stimuli) in comparison to nonepileptic Wistar rats. Potent postictal antinociception that persisted for 120 to 180 min was detected after acute and chronic seizures. Additionally, acute and chronic seizures have magnified the expression of anxiety-like behaviors when assessed at 1 day and 15 days after seizures. Behavioral analysis indicated more severe and persistent anxiogenic-like alterations in WARs submitted to acute seizures. Therefore, WARs presented pain hypersensitivity and increased anxiety-like behaviors endogenously associated with genetic epilepsy. Acute and chronic seizures induced postictal antinociception in response to mechanical and thermal stimuli and increased anxiety-like behaviors when assessed 1 day and 15 days later. These findings support the presence of neurobehavioral alterations in subjects with epilepsy and shed light on the use of genetic models to characterize neuropathological and behavioral alterations associated with epilepsy.
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Trøstheim M, Eikemo M, Haaker J, Frost JJ, Leknes S. Opioid antagonism in humans: a primer on optimal dose and timing for central mu-opioid receptor blockade. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:299-307. [PMID: 35978096 PMCID: PMC7613944 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01416-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Non-human animal studies outline precise mechanisms of central mu-opioid regulation of pain, stress, affiliation and reward processing. In humans, pharmacological blockade with non-selective opioid antagonists such as naloxone and naltrexone is typically used to assess involvement of the mu-opioid system in such processing. However, robust estimates of the opioid receptor blockade achieved by opioid antagonists are missing. Dose and timing schedules are highly variable and often based on single studies. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of central opioid receptor blockade after opioid antagonism based on existing positron emission tomography data. We also create models for estimating opioid receptor blockade with intravenous naloxone and oral naltrexone. We find that common doses of intravenous naloxone (0.10-0.15 mg/kg) and oral naltrexone (50 mg) are more than sufficient to produce full blockade of central MOR (>90% receptor occupancy) for the duration of a typical experimental session (~60 min), presumably due to initial super saturation of receptors. Simulations indicate that these doses also produce high KOR blockade (78-100%) and some DOR blockade (10% with naltrexone and 48-74% with naloxone). Lower doses (e.g., 0.01 mg/kg intravenous naloxone) are estimated to produce less DOR and KOR blockade while still achieving a high level of MOR blockade for ~30 min. The models and simulations form the basis of two novel web applications for detailed planning and evaluation of experiments with opioid antagonists. These tools and recommendations enable selection of appropriate antagonists, doses and assessment time points, and determination of the achieved receptor blockade in previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Trøstheim
- Department of Diagnostic Physics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. .,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Marie Eikemo
- grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan Haaker
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Siri Leknes
- grid.55325.340000 0004 0389 8485Department of Diagnostic Physics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway ,grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Hartshorn G, Browning M, Chalil Madathil K, Mau F, Ranganathan S, Todd A, Bertrand J, Maynard A, McAnirlin O, Sindelar K, Hernandez R, Henry Gomez T. Efficacy of virtual reality assisted guided imagery (VRAGI) in a home setting for pain management in patients with advanced cancer: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e064363. [PMID: 36576188 PMCID: PMC9723889 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with advanced cancer often experience high levels of debilitating pain and pain-related psychological distress. Although there is increasing evidence that non-pharmacological interventions are needed to manage their pain, pharmacologic modalities remain the preferred treatment . Guided imagery is a form of focused relaxation that helps create harmony between the mind and body and has been shown to significantly improve cancer pain. Our study presents Virtual Reality Assisted Guided Imagery (VRAGI) as a complementary treatment modality to manage chronic pain in patients with cancer. We will conduct a randomised controlled trial to test its impact on patients with advanced cancer in a home setting. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will recruit 80 patients from Prisma Health, a tertiary-level healthcare centre based in Greenville, South Carolina, USA. The prospective 2×2 randomised controlled trial will randomise participants into four groups: (1) VRAGI, (2) laptop-assisted guided imagery, (3) VR (no guided imagery) and (4) laptop (no guided imagery). Patients allocated to VR groups will be trained to use a head-mounted display that immerses them in 3D audio-video content. The non-VR group will use a laptop displaying 2D video content. We will collect measures before and during the 3-week intervention as well as 3 weeks after the intervention ends. Measures will include patient-reported outcomes of pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue in addition to opioid use. The primary objective of the current study is to assess the efficacy of VRAGI on pain in the home setting. The secondary objective is to assess the efficacy of VRAGI on opioid use, anxiety, depression and fatigue. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by the Prisma Health Institutional Review Board (#Pro00114598) in November 2021. All participants enrolled in the study will provide written informed consent. Dissemination will be through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05348174, clinicaltrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Hartshorn
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew Browning
- Virtual Reality and Nature Lab, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kapil Chalil Madathil
- Departments of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Clemson University College of Health Education and Human Development, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Fredric Mau
- Watermark Counseling, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Shyam Ranganathan
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew Todd
- Department of Computing and Applied Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jeff Bertrand
- Center for Workforce Development, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Allison Maynard
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Olivia McAnirlin
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kailan Sindelar
- Communication and Information Design, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Rosalba Hernandez
- School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Teny Henry Gomez
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, Prisma Health, Greenville, South Carolina, USA
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Effective Oriental Magic for Analgesia: Acupuncture. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:1451342. [PMID: 35313481 PMCID: PMC8934214 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1451342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pain is a kind of complex physiological and psychological symptom, which makes the person debilitated and uncomfortable. Some persistent pain is unbearable for the patients, reducing the quality of life and bringing considerable pressure to the individuals and society. Pain killers seem to be effective in analgesia for patients, but their safety and addiction are crucial issues. From the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the blocked meridian is the main cause of pain, and effective acupuncture can play a positive analgesic effect. Acupuncture that can date back thousands of years is one of the ancient medical practices in China. Its safety and effectiveness are respected. Based on its superior safety and inferior side effects, it has been gradually recognized as a therapeutic intervention method for complementary medicine, which is also generally used to treat multiple pain diseases. It is shown by modern medical studies that neurotransmitters are the material basis for the acupuncture effect, and the effect of acupuncture analgesia is related to changes in neurotransmitters. However, the specific mechanism has not been elucidated. This review aims to comprehensively discuss the historical evolution of acupuncture analgesia, clinical research of acupuncture analgesia, comparison of acupuncture and drug therapy, the neurotransmitter mechanism of acupuncture analgesia, the effect of acupuncture manipulation on analgesia, and bibliometric analysis of acupuncture treatment for pain, to explore the superiority and related mechanism of acupuncture analgesia from different aspects, and to provide a more effective treatment for alleviating patients' pain.
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Kimmey BA, McCall NM, Wooldridge LM, Satterthwaite T, Corder G. Engaging endogenous opioid circuits in pain affective processes. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:66-98. [PMID: 33314372 PMCID: PMC8197770 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The pervasive use of opioid compounds for pain relief is rooted in their utility as one of the most effective therapeutic strategies for providing analgesia. While the detrimental side effects of these compounds have significantly contributed to the current opioid epidemic, opioids still provide millions of patients with reprieve from the relentless and agonizing experience of pain. The human experience of pain has long recognized the perceived unpleasantness entangled with a unique sensation that is immediate and identifiable from the first-person subjective vantage point as "painful." From this phenomenological perspective, how is it that opioids interfere with pain perception? Evidence from human lesion, neuroimaging, and preclinical functional neuroanatomy approaches is sculpting the view that opioids predominately alleviate the affective or inferential appraisal of nociceptive neural information. Thus, opioids weaken pain-associated unpleasantness rather than modulate perceived sensory qualities. Here, we discuss the historical theories of pain to demonstrate how modern neuroscience is revisiting these ideas to deconstruct the brain mechanisms driving the emergence of aversive pain perceptions. We further detail how targeting opioidergic signaling within affective or emotional brain circuits remains a strong avenue for developing targeted pharmacological and gene-therapy analgesic treatments that might reduce the dependence on current clinical opioid options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake A. Kimmey
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA, Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA, Equal contributions
| | - Nora M. McCall
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA, Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA, Equal contributions
| | - Lisa M. Wooldridge
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA, Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Theodore Satterthwaite
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA, Lifespan Informatics and Neuroimaging Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gregory Corder
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA, Department of Neuroscience, Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Sirucek L, Price RC, Gandhi W, Hoeppli ME, Fahey E, Qu A, Becker S, Schweinhardt P. Endogenous opioids contribute to the feeling of pain relief in humans. Pain 2021; 162:2821-2831. [PMID: 34793405 PMCID: PMC8600541 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous opioids mediate the pleasurable responses to positively reinforcing stimuli such as palatable food. Yet, the reduction or omission of a negative experience can also be rewarding (negative reinforcement). As such, pain relief leads to negative reinforcement and evokes a pleasant feeling in humans. Although it has been shown that the feeling of pleasure associated with positive reinforcement is at least partly mediated through endogenous opioids, it is currently unknown whether similar neurochemical mechanisms are involved in the pleasant feeling evoked by pain relief. In this study, 27 healthy participants completed 2 identical experimental sessions, 1 with placebo and 1 with naltrexone, an endogenous opioid antagonist. Pain relief was induced by superficial cooling after heat stimulation of capsaicin-sensitized skin. Participants rated the relief and pleasantness in response to the cooling. Endogenous opioid blockade by naltrexone decreased relief and pleasantness ratings compared with placebo (P = 0.0027). This study provides evidence that endogenous opioids play a role in mediating the pleasant feeling of pain relief in humans. Clinically, the rewarding nature of pain relief and its underlying mechanisms require consideration because of their potential reinforcing effects on behaviors that might be beneficial short-term but maladaptive long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sirucek
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca Christine Price
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Wiebke Gandhi
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Science, Centre of Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Marie-Eve Hoeppli
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Emma Fahey
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Annie Qu
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Susanne Becker
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Petra Schweinhardt
- Department of Chiropractic Medicine, Integrative Spinal Research, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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11
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Do endogenous opioids mediate or fine-tune human pain relief? Pain 2021; 162:2789-2791. [PMID: 34793404 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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12
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Case L, Adler-Neal AL, Wells RE, Zeidan F. The Role of Expectations and Endogenous Opioids in Mindfulness-Based Relief of Experimentally Induced Acute Pain. Psychosom Med 2021; 83:549-556. [PMID: 33480666 PMCID: PMC8415135 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000000908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Expectations contribute to cognitive pain modulation through opioidergically mediated descending inhibition. Mindfulness meditation reduces pain independent of endogenous opioids, engaging unique corticothalamocortical mechanisms. However, it remains unknown whether expectations for pain relief predict mindfulness-induced analgesia and if these expectations are modified by endogenous opioids. METHODS In this secondary analysis of previously published work, 78 pain-free participants (mean age, 27 ± 7 years; 50% women) were randomized to a four-session mindfulness meditation or book listening regimen. Expectations for intervention-induced pain relief were assessed before and after each intervention. Pain ratings were examined after meditation or rest (control group) during noxious heat (49°C) and intravenous administration of saline placebo or the opioid antagonist naloxone (0.15 mg/kg bolus + 0.1 mg kg-1 h-1 infusion. RESULTS Mindfulness significantly lowered pain during saline and naloxone infusion. Higher expected pain relief from mindfulness predicted lower pain intensity (r(40) = -0.41, p = .009). The relationship between meditation-related expectations and pain intensity reductions was exhibited during naloxone (r(20) = -0.76, p < .001) but not saline (r(20) = -0.22, p = .36). Expectations for book listening-based analgesia did not significantly predict pain changes during saline (r(20) = -0.37, p = .11) or naloxone (r(18) = 0.26, p = .30) in the control group. CONCLUSIONS These novel findings demonstrate a significant role for expectations in mindfulness-based pain relief. However, this role was minimal during saline and stronger during opioid blockade, despite similar pain reductions. This supports growing evidence that mindfulness engages multiple mechanisms to reduce pain, suggesting that mindfulness might be an effective pain-reducing technique even for individuals with low expectations for pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Case
- From the Department of Anesthesiology (Case, Zeidan), University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California; and Departments of Neurobiology and Anatomy (Adler-Neal, Zeidan) and Neurology (Wells), Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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13
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Psychosocial intervention and the reward system in pain and opioid misuse: new opportunities and directions. Pain 2021; 161:2659-2666. [PMID: 33197164 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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14
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Becker S, Schakib-Ekbatan K, Wroblewski D, Schweiker M. Perception of repeated pain relief with controllable and uncontrollable pain. Eur J Pain 2021; 25:1702-1711. [PMID: 33829599 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ultimate goal of pain research is to provide effective routes for pain relief. Nevertheless, the perception pain relief as a change in pain intensity and un-/pleasantness has only been rarely investigated. It has been demonstrated that pain relief has rewarding and reinforcing properties, but it remains unknown whether the perception of pain relief changes when pain reductions occur repeatedly. Further, it remains an open question whether the perception of pain relief depends on the controllability of the preceding pain. METHODS In this study, healthy volunteers (N = 38) received five cycles of painful heat stimulation and reduction of this stimulation to a non-painful warm stimulation once in a condition with control of the stimulation and once without control. Participants rated perceived intensity and un-/pleasantness on visual analogue scales during the heat stimulation and immediately after its reduction. RESULTS Results showed that perceived pain relief, estimated by the difference in ratings during ongoing heat stimulation and after its reduction, increased with repetitions. However, this increase levelled off after two to four repetitions. Further, perceived pain relief was larger in the condition without control compared to the condition with control. CONCLUSION The perception of pain relief can be modulated similar to the perception of pain by stimulus characteristics and psychological factors. Mechanistic knowledge about such modulating factors is important, because they can determine, e.g., the amount of requested pain killers in clinical settings and the efficacy of pain relief as a reinforcing stimulus. SIGNIFICANCE When in pain, pain relief can become an all-dominate goal. The perception of such pain relief can vary depending on external and internal characteristics and thus modulate, e.g., requests for pain killers in clinical settings. Here, we show that perceived intensity and pleasantness of pain relief changes with repetitions and whether the preceding pain is perceived as uncontrollable. Such mechanistic knowledge needs to be considered to maximize the effects of pain relief as a rewarding and reinforcing stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Becker
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Integrative Spinal Research Group, Department of Chiropractic Medicine, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karin Schakib-Ekbatan
- Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Heidelberg, Germany.,Building Science Group, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany.,Institute for Resource Efficiency and Energy Strategies, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Daniel Wroblewski
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marcel Schweiker
- Building Science Group, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany.,Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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15
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Ramaswamy S, Wodehouse T. Conditioned pain modulation-A comprehensive review. Neurophysiol Clin 2020; 51:197-208. [PMID: 33334645 DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is a centrally processed measure of the net effect of the descending pain pathway. This comprises both the facilitatory as well as the inhibitory effect. In the past, CPM or similar effects have been previously described using different terminologies such as diffuse noxious inhibitory control (DNIC), heterotopic noxious conditioning stimulation (HNCS) or endogenous analgesia (EA). A variety of patient-related factors such as age, gender, hormones, race, genetic and psychological factors have been thought to influence the CPM paradigms. CPM paradigms have also been associated with a wide range of methodological variables including the mode of application of the 'test' as well as the 'conditioning' stimuli. Despite all these variabilities, CPM seems to reliably lend itself to the pain modulation profile concept and could in future become one of the phenotypic biomarkers for pain and also a guide for mechanism-based treatment in chronic pain. Future research should focus on establishing consistent methodologies for measuring CPM and thereby enhancing the robustness of this emerging biomarker for pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shankar Ramaswamy
- 1St Bartholomew's Hospital, Bart's Health NHS Trust, London, EC1A 4AS, UK.
| | - Theresa Wodehouse
- 1St Bartholomew's Hospital, Bart's Health NHS Trust, London, EC1A 4AS, UK
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16
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-first consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2018 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (2), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (3) and humans (4), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (5), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (6), stress and social status (7), learning and memory (8), eating and drinking (9), drug abuse and alcohol (10), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (11), mental illness and mood (12), seizures and neurologic disorders (13), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (14), general activity and locomotion (15), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (16), cardiovascular responses (17), respiration and thermoregulation (18), and immunological responses (19).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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17
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Schulz E, Stankewitz A, Winkler AM, Irving S, Witkovský V, Tracey I. Ultra-high-field imaging reveals increased whole brain connectivity underpins cognitive strategies that attenuate pain. eLife 2020; 9:55028. [PMID: 32876049 PMCID: PMC7498261 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated how the attenuation of pain with cognitive interventions affects brain connectivity using neuroimaging and a whole brain novel analysis approach. While receiving tonic cold pain, 20 healthy participants performed three different pain attenuation strategies during simultaneous collection of functional imaging data at seven tesla. Participants were asked to rate their pain after each trial. We related the trial-by-trial variability of the attenuation performance to the trial-by-trial functional connectivity strength change of brain data. Across all conditions, we found that a higher performance of pain attenuation was predominantly associated with higher functional connectivity. Of note, we observed an association between low pain and high connectivity for regions that belong to brain regions long associated with pain processing, the insular and cingulate cortices. For one of the cognitive strategies (safe place), the performance of pain attenuation was explained by diffusion tensor imaging metrics of increased white matter integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Schulz
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anne Stankewitz
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anderson M Winkler
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Stephanie Irving
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Viktor Witkovský
- Department of Theoretical Methods, Institute of Measurement Science, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Irene Tracey
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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18
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Singh N, Driessen AK, McGovern AE, Moe AAK, Farrell MJ, Mazzone SB. Peripheral and central mechanisms of cough hypersensitivity. J Thorac Dis 2020; 12:5179-5193. [PMID: 33145095 PMCID: PMC7578480 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-2020-icc-007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic cough is a difficult to treat symptom of many respiratory and some non-respiratory diseases, indicating that varied pathologies can underpin the development of chronic cough. However, clinically and experimentally it has been useful to collate these different pathological processes into the single unifying concept of cough hypersensitivity. Cough hypersensitivity syndrome is reflected by troublesome cough often precipitated by levels of stimuli that ordinarily don't cause cough in healthy people, and this appears to be a hallmark feature in many patients with chronic cough. Accordingly, a strong argument has emerged that changes in the excitability and/or normal regulation of the peripheral and central neural circuits responsible for cough are instrumental in establishing cough hypersensitivity and for causing excessive cough in disease. In this review, we explore the current peripheral and central neural mechanisms that are believed to be involved in altered cough sensitivity and present possible links to the mechanism of action of novel therapies that are currently undergoing clinical trials for chronic cough.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabita Singh
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Alexandria K. Driessen
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Alice E. McGovern
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Aung Aung Kywe Moe
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Michael J. Farrell
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Stuart B. Mazzone
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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19
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Wells RE, Collier J, Posey G, Morgan F, Auman T, Strittameter B, Magalhaes R, Adler-Neal A, McHaffie JG, Zeidan F. Attention to breath sensations does not engage endogenous opioids to reduce pain. Pain 2020; 161:1884-1893. [PMID: 32701847 PMCID: PMC7483215 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous opioidergic system is critically involved in the cognitive modulation of pain. Slow-breathing-based techniques are widely used nonpharmacological approaches to reduce pain. Yet, the active mechanisms of actions supporting these practices are poorly characterized. Growing evidence suggest that mindfulness-meditation, a slow-breathing technique practiced by nonreactively attending to breathing sensations, engages multiple unique neural mechanisms that bypass opioidergically mediated descending pathways to reduce pain. However, it is unknown whether endogenous opioids contribute to pain reductions produced by slow breathing. The present double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study examined behavioral pain responses during mindfulness-meditation (n = 19), sham-mindfulness meditation (n = 20), and slow-paced breathing (n = 20) in response to noxious heat (49°C) and intravenous administration (0.15 mg/kg bolus + 0.1 mg/kg/hour maintenance infusion) of the opioid antagonist, naloxone, and placebo saline. Mindfulness significantly reduced pain unpleasantness ratings across both infusion sessions when compared to rest, but not pain intensity. Slow-paced breathing significantly reduced pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings during naloxone but not saline infusion. Pain reductions produced by mindfulness-meditation and slow-paced breathing were insensitive to naloxone when compared to saline administration. By contrast, sham-mindfulness meditation produced pain unpleasantness reductions during saline infusion but this effect was reversed by opioidergic antagonism. Sham-mindfulness did not lower pain intensity ratings. Self-reported "focusing on the breath" was identified as the operational feature particularly unique to the mindfulness-meditation and slow paced-breathing, but not sham-mindfulness meditation. Across all individuals, attending to the breath was associated with naloxone insensitive pain-relief. These findings provide evidence that slow breathing combined with attention to breath reduces pain independent of endogenous opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Collier
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine
| | - Grace Posey
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine
| | - Fry Morgan
- Department of Psychiatry, Wake Forest School of Medicine
| | - Timothy Auman
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine
| | | | - Rossana Magalhaes
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine
| | | | - John G. McHaffie
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine
| | - Fadel Zeidan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego
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20
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Imagined and Actual Acupuncture Effects on Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8579743. [PMID: 32684925 PMCID: PMC7350074 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8579743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Research suggests that imagined experiences can produce brain responses similar to those produced by actual experiences. Shared brain responses that support both imagination and perception may underlie the functional nature of mental imagery. In a previous study, we combined acupuncture and imagery to develop a new treatment method, video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT). We found that VGAIT significantly increased pain thresholds in healthy subjects. The aim of this study is to extend our previous finding by investigating whether VGAIT can relieve symptoms in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods We first performed a single-arm study in which we administered video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (VGAIT) on patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) (Study 1, n = 18, 12 females). We then compared our findings to those from a recently published study in which real or sham acupuncture treatment was applied on patients with cLBP (Study 2, n = 50, 31 females) using a similar protocol. All patients in Studies 1 and 2 received 6 treatments over 4 weeks. Results All three treatments (VGAIT, real, and sham acupuncture) significantly reduced pain severity as measured by a low back pain bothersomeness score. VGAIT produced similar effects to real acupuncture (p = 0.97) and nonsignificantly greater pain bothersomeness relief compared to sham acupuncture (p = 0.14). Additional analysis showed that there was no significant difference on the sensations evoked by different treatment modalities. Conclusion These findings support VGAIT as a promising method for pain management.
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21
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The role of the opioid system in decision making and cognitive control: A review. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 19:435-458. [PMID: 30963411 PMCID: PMC6599188 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-019-00710-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The opioid system regulates affective processing, including pain, pleasure, and reward. Restricting the role of this system to hedonic modulation may be an underestimation, however. Opioid receptors are distributed widely in the human brain, including the more “cognitive” regions in the frontal and parietal lobes. Nonhuman animal research points to opioid modulation of cognitive and decision-making processes. We review emerging evidence on whether acute opioid drug modulation in healthy humans can influence cognitive function, such as how we choose between actions of different values and how we control our behavior in the face of distracting information. Specifically, we review studies employing opioid agonists or antagonists together with experimental paradigms of reward-based decision making, impulsivity, executive functioning, attention, inhibition, and effort. Although this field is still in its infancy, the emerging picture suggests that the mu-opioid system can influence higher-level cognitive function via modulation of valuation, motivation, and control circuits dense in mu-opioid receptors, including orbitofrontal cortex, basal ganglia, amygdalae, anterior cingulate cortex, and prefrontal cortex. The framework that we put forward proposes that opioids influence decision making and cognitive control by increasing the subjective value of reward and reducing aversive arousal. We highlight potential mechanisms that might underlie the effects of mu-opioid signaling on decision making and cognitive control and provide directions for future research.
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22
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Nikbakhtzadeh M, Borzadaran FM, Zamani E, Shabani M. Protagonist Role of Opioidergic System on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Pain. Psychiatry Investig 2020; 17:506-516. [PMID: 32492768 PMCID: PMC7324730 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2020.0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain often co-occur. Studies have shown an interaction between pain and PTSD. In this narrative review, we aim to support conducting comprehensive studies by describing PTSD, pain and determining whether opioidergic system, its agonist and antagonist manipulation could positively or negatively affect PTSD symptoms and concurrent pain. METHODS Term searches was done in Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and PubMed databases as well as hand searching in key resource journals from 1979-2019. RESULTS There are a lot of contradictions and disputes when endogenous opioidergic system and opioidergic antagonist system are studied in PTSD patients. Exogenous morphine administration in PTSD patients can decrease the symptoms of PTSD but it doesn't have a pain reduction effect to an acceptable level. Beta-endorphin as an endogenous opioid is effective in pain reduction in the moment of events but after minutes to hours, the endorphins withdrawal syndrome leads to exaggerated intrusive thoughts and flashbacks of PTSD, which exacerbate the pain. It has also been shown that naloxone, as an opioidergic antagonist, can reduce or increase the PTSD symptoms and its associated pain. CONCLUSION Data suggest different roles of opioidergic system and their antagonist in pain control and mood in PTSD. However, further investigations need to be done in order to reveal the role of endogenous opioidergic system and opioidergic antagonist system as a mediator in PTSD patients suffering from acute or chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Nikbakhtzadeh
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mohtashami Borzadaran
- Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Elham Zamani
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Shabani
- Kerman Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Leknes S, Atlas LY. Flawed methodology undermines conclusions about opioid-induced pleasure: implications for psychopharmacology. Br J Anaesth 2019; 124:e29-e33. [PMID: 31753290 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2019.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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25
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Tracey I, Woolf CJ, Andrews NA. Composite Pain Biomarker Signatures for Objective Assessment and Effective Treatment. Neuron 2019; 101:783-800. [PMID: 30844399 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Pain is a subjective sensory experience that can, mostly, be reported but cannot be directly measured or quantified. Nevertheless, a suite of biomarkers related to mechanisms, neural activity, and susceptibility offer the possibility-especially when used in combination-to produce objective pain-related indicators with the specificity and sensitivity required for diagnosis and for evaluation of risk of developing pain and of analgesic efficacy. Such composite biomarkers will also provide improved understanding of pain pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Tracey
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
| | - Clifford J Woolf
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115 MA, USA.
| | - Nick A Andrews
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02115 MA, USA
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Calvo F, Almada RC, Dos Anjos-Garcia T, Falconi-Sobrinho LL, Paschoalin-Maurin T, Bazaglia-de-Sousa G, Medeiros P, Silva JAD, Lobão-Soares B, Coimbra NC. Panicolytic-like effect of µ 1-opioid receptor blockade in the inferior colliculus of prey threatened by Crotalus durissus terrificus pit vipers. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:577-588. [PMID: 30663473 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118822078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The endogenous opioid peptide system has been implicated in the neural modulation of fear and anxiety organised by the dorsal midbrain. Furthermore, previous results indicate a fundamental role played by inferior colliculus (IC) opioid mechanisms during the expression of defensive behaviours, but the involvement of the IC µ1-opioid receptor in the modulation of anxiety- and panic attack-related behaviours remains unclear. Using a prey-versus-snake confrontation paradigm, we sought to investigate the effects of µ1-opioid receptor blockade in the IC on the defensive behaviour displayed by rats in a dangerous situation. METHODS Specific pathogen-free Wistar rats were treated with microinjection of the selective µ1-opioid receptor antagonist naloxonazine into the IC at different concentrations (1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 µg/0.2 µL) and then confronted with rattlesnakes ( Crotalus durissus terrificus). The defensive behavioural repertoire, such as defensive attention, flat back approach (FBA), startle, defensive immobility, escape or active avoidance, displayed by rats either during the confrontations with wild snakes or during re-exposure to the experimental context without the predator was analysed. RESULTS The blockade of µ1-opioid receptors in the IC decreased the expression of both anxiety-related behaviours (defensive attention, FBA) and panic attack-related responses (startle, defensive immobility and escape) during the confrontation with rattlesnakes. A significant decrease in defensive attention was also recorded during re-exposure of the prey to the experimental apparatus context without the predator. CONCLUSION Taken together, these results suggest that a decrease in µ1-opioid receptor signalling activity within the IC modulates anxiety- and panic attack-related behaviours in dangerous environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrício Calvo
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,2 Department of Pharmacology, São Lucas College, Porto Velho (RO), Brazil.,3 Aparício Carvalho Integrative College (FIMCA), Porto Velho (RO), Brazil.,4 Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil
| | - Rafael Carvalho Almada
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,4 Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil.,5 Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
| | - Tayllon Dos Anjos-Garcia
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,4 Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil.,6 NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
| | - Luiz Luciano Falconi-Sobrinho
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,4 Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil.,5 Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,6 NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
| | - Tatiana Paschoalin-Maurin
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,4 Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil.,5 Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
| | - Guilherme Bazaglia-de-Sousa
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,4 Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil.,5 Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,6 NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
| | - Priscila Medeiros
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,4 Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil.,5 Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
| | - Juliana Almeida da Silva
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,4 Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil.,5 Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,6 NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
| | - Bruno Lobão-Soares
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,4 Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil.,5 Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,7 Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal (RN), Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,4 Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brasil.,5 Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil.,6 NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil
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