Pinprick-induced gamma-band oscillations are not a useful electrophysiological marker of pinprick hypersensitivity in humans.
Clin Neurophysiol 2023;
153:102-110. [PMID:
37473484 DOI:
10.1016/j.clinph.2023.06.018]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate scalp gamma-band oscillations (GBOs) induced by mechanical stimuli activating skin nociceptors before and after the induction of mechanical hypersensitivity using high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the skin.
METHODS
In twenty healthy volunteers, we recorded the electroencephalogram during robot-controlled mechanical pinprick stimulation (512 mN) applied at the right ventral forearm before and after HFS.
RESULTS
HFS induced a significant increase in mechanical pinprick sensitivity, but this increased pinprick sensitivity was, at the group level, not accompanied by a significant increase in GBOs. Visual inspection of the individual data revealed that possible GBOs were present in eight out of twenty participants (40%) and the frequency of these GBOs varied substantially across participants.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the low number of participants showing GBOs we question the (clinical) utility of mechanically-induced GBOs as an electrophysiological marker of pinprick hypersensitivity in humans.
SIGNIFICANCE
Mechanical pinprick-induced scalp GBOs are not useful for evaluating mechanical pinprick hypersensitivity in humans.
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