AsianScientist (Mar. 21, 2014) – New insights into how the human brain responds to chronic pain could eventually lead to improved treatments for patients, according to University of Adelaide researchers.
Neuroplasticity is the term used to describe the brain’s ability to change structurally and functionally with experience and use.
“Neuroplasticity underlies our learning and memory, making it vital during early childhood development and important for continuous learning throughout life,” says Dr Ann-Maree Vallence, a Postdoctoral Fellow in the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Institute.
“The mechanisms responsible for the development of chronic pain are poorly understood. While most research focuses on changes in the spinal cord, this research investigates the role of brain plasticity in the development of chronic pain.”
Dr Vallence conducted a study on patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH), a common chronic pain disorder. CTTH is characterized by a dull, constant feeling of pressure or tightening that usually affects both sides of the head, occurring for 15 days or more per month. Other symptoms include poor sleep, irritability, disturbed memory and concentration, and depression and anxiety.
In this study, participants undertook a motor training task consisting of moving their thumb as quickly as possible in a specific direction. The change in performance (or learning) on the task was tracked by recording how quickly subjects moved their thumb. A non-invasive brain stimulation technique was also used to obtain a measure of the participants’ neuroplasticity.
“Typically, when individuals undertake a motor training task such as this, their performance improves over time and this is linked with a neuroplastic change in the brain,” Dr Vallence says. “The people with no history of chronic pain got better at the task with training, and we observed an associated neuroplastic change in their brains. However, our chronic headache patients did not get better at the task and there were no associated changes in the brain, suggesting impaired neuroplasticity.
“These results provide a novel and important insight into the cause of chronic pain, and could eventually help in the development of a more targeted treatment for CTTH and other chronic pain conditions,” she says.
——
Source: University of Adelaide; Photo: sleepyneko/Flickr/CC.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
