Hyperalgesia and Central Sensitization in Subjects With Chronic Orofacial Pain: Analysis of Pain Thresholds and EEG Biomarkers
Introduction: The presence of a temporomandibular disorder is one of the most frequent causes of orofacial pain (OFP). When pain continues beyond tissue healing time, it becomes chronic and may be caused, among other factors, by the sensitization of higher-order neurons. The aim of this study is to...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.552650/full |
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| author | Andrea Baroni Andrea Baroni Giacomo Severini Giacomo Severini Sofia Straudi Sergio Buja Silvia Borsato Nino Basaglia Nino Basaglia |
| author_facet | Andrea Baroni Andrea Baroni Giacomo Severini Giacomo Severini Sofia Straudi Sergio Buja Silvia Borsato Nino Basaglia Nino Basaglia |
| author_sort | Andrea Baroni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The presence of a temporomandibular disorder is one of the most frequent causes of orofacial pain (OFP). When pain continues beyond tissue healing time, it becomes chronic and may be caused, among other factors, by the sensitization of higher-order neurons. The aim of this study is to describe psychological characteristics of patients with chronic OFP, their peripheral pain threshold, and electroencephalography (EEG) recording, looking for possible signs of central sensitization (CS).Materials and methods: Twenty-four subjects with chronic OFP caused by temporomandibular disorder were evaluated using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis I and Axis II. Pain intensity, catastrophizing, and presence of CS were assessed through self-reported questionnaires. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was recorded in facial and peripheral sites; EEG activity was recorded during open and closed eyes resting state and also during the pain threshold assessment. Pain thresholds and EEG recordings were compared with a cohort of pain-free age- and sex-matched healthy subjects.Results: Patients with chronic OFP showed a significant reduction in their pain threshold compared to healthy subjects in all sites assessed. Greater reduction in pain threshold was recorded in patients with more severe psychological symptoms. Decreased alpha and increased gamma activity was recorded in central and frontal regions of all subjects, although no significant differences were observed between groups.Discussion: A general reduction in PPT was recorded in people who suffer from chronic OFP. This result may be explained by sensitization of the central nervous system due to chronic pain conditions. Abnormal EEG activity was recorded during painful stimulation compared to the relaxed condition in both chronic OFP subjects and healthy controls. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T09:43:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-82684b88c94445a5bad56e777cf0f8bf |
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| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T09:43:28Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-82684b88c94445a5bad56e777cf0f8bf2022-12-22T01:12:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2020-11-011410.3389/fnins.2020.552650552650Hyperalgesia and Central Sensitization in Subjects With Chronic Orofacial Pain: Analysis of Pain Thresholds and EEG BiomarkersAndrea Baroni0Andrea Baroni1Giacomo Severini2Giacomo Severini3Sofia Straudi4Sergio Buja5Silvia Borsato6Nino Basaglia7Nino Basaglia8Translational Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, Ferrara University, Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, ItalySchool of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, IrelandCentre for Biomedical Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, IrelandDepartment of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, ItalyTranslational Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, Ferrara University, Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, ItalyIntroduction: The presence of a temporomandibular disorder is one of the most frequent causes of orofacial pain (OFP). When pain continues beyond tissue healing time, it becomes chronic and may be caused, among other factors, by the sensitization of higher-order neurons. The aim of this study is to describe psychological characteristics of patients with chronic OFP, their peripheral pain threshold, and electroencephalography (EEG) recording, looking for possible signs of central sensitization (CS).Materials and methods: Twenty-four subjects with chronic OFP caused by temporomandibular disorder were evaluated using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis I and Axis II. Pain intensity, catastrophizing, and presence of CS were assessed through self-reported questionnaires. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was recorded in facial and peripheral sites; EEG activity was recorded during open and closed eyes resting state and also during the pain threshold assessment. Pain thresholds and EEG recordings were compared with a cohort of pain-free age- and sex-matched healthy subjects.Results: Patients with chronic OFP showed a significant reduction in their pain threshold compared to healthy subjects in all sites assessed. Greater reduction in pain threshold was recorded in patients with more severe psychological symptoms. Decreased alpha and increased gamma activity was recorded in central and frontal regions of all subjects, although no significant differences were observed between groups.Discussion: A general reduction in PPT was recorded in people who suffer from chronic OFP. This result may be explained by sensitization of the central nervous system due to chronic pain conditions. Abnormal EEG activity was recorded during painful stimulation compared to the relaxed condition in both chronic OFP subjects and healthy controls.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.552650/fullchronic painorofacial paincentral sensitizationpain thresholdEEG |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Baroni Andrea Baroni Giacomo Severini Giacomo Severini Sofia Straudi Sergio Buja Silvia Borsato Nino Basaglia Nino Basaglia Hyperalgesia and Central Sensitization in Subjects With Chronic Orofacial Pain: Analysis of Pain Thresholds and EEG Biomarkers Frontiers in Neuroscience chronic pain orofacial pain central sensitization pain threshold EEG |
| title | Hyperalgesia and Central Sensitization in Subjects With Chronic Orofacial Pain: Analysis of Pain Thresholds and EEG Biomarkers |
| title_full | Hyperalgesia and Central Sensitization in Subjects With Chronic Orofacial Pain: Analysis of Pain Thresholds and EEG Biomarkers |
| title_fullStr | Hyperalgesia and Central Sensitization in Subjects With Chronic Orofacial Pain: Analysis of Pain Thresholds and EEG Biomarkers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hyperalgesia and Central Sensitization in Subjects With Chronic Orofacial Pain: Analysis of Pain Thresholds and EEG Biomarkers |
| title_short | Hyperalgesia and Central Sensitization in Subjects With Chronic Orofacial Pain: Analysis of Pain Thresholds and EEG Biomarkers |
| title_sort | hyperalgesia and central sensitization in subjects with chronic orofacial pain analysis of pain thresholds and eeg biomarkers |
| topic | chronic pain orofacial pain central sensitization pain threshold EEG |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.552650/full |
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