Neural Activation during Anticipation of Near Pain-Threshold Stimulation Among the Pain-Fearful

Frontiers in Neuroscience

Chengzhi Huang¹  Zhou Yang¹  Todd Jackson² 

[1] Southwest University;University of Macau;

关键词: Functional Neuroimaging;    Midcingulate cortex;    fear of pain;    pain intensity;    Pain anticipation;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnins.2016.00342

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Fear of pain (FOP) can increase risk for chronic pain and disability but little is known about corresponding neural responses in anticipation of potential pain. In this study, more (10 women, 6 men) and less (7 women, 6 men) pain-fearful groups underwent whole-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during anticipation of near pain-threshold stimulation. Groups did not differ in the proportion of stimuli judged to be painful but pain-fearful participants reported significantly more state fear prior to stimulus exposure. Within the entire sample, stronger activation was found in several pain regions (e.g., bilateral insula, midcingulate cortex (MCC), thalamus, superior frontal gyrus) and visual areas linked to decoding stimulus valences (inferior orbital cortex) during anticipation of painful stimuli. Between groups and correlation analyses indicated pain-fearful participants experienced comparatively more activity in regions implicated in evaluating potential threats and processing negative emotions during anticipation (i.e., MCC, mid occipital cortex, superior temporal pole), though group differences were not apparent in most so-called pain matrix regions. In sum, trait- and task-based FOP is associated with enhanced responsiveness in regions involved in threat processing and negative affect during anticipation of potentially painful stimulation.

【 授权许可】

Unknown