Background: Many researchers have tried to investigate pain by studying brain responses. One method used to investigate pain-related brain responses is continuous electroencephalography (EEG). The objective of the current study is to add on to our understanding of EEG responses during pain, by differentiation between EEG patterns indicative of (i) the noxious stimulus intensity and (ii) the subjective pain sensation. Methods: EEG was recorded during the administration of tonic experimental pain, consisting of six minutes of contact heat applied to the leg via a thermode. Two stimuli above pain threshold, one at pain threshold and two non-painful stimuli were administered. Thirty-six healthy participants provided a subjective pain rating during thermal stimulation. Relative EEG power was calculated for the frequency bands alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2, delta, and theta. Results: Whereas EEG activity could not be predicted by stimulus intensity (except in one frequency band), subjective pain sensation could significantly predict differences in EEG activity in several frequency bands. An increase in the subjective pain sensation was associated with a decrease in alpha2, beta1, beta2 as well as in theta activity across the midline electrodes. Conclusion:The subjective experience of pain seems to capture unique variance in EEG activity above and beyond what is captured by noxious stimulus intensity.

Abstract. Aims: The increasing prevalence of patients seeking treatment for methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) in some regions of Germany and the high relapse rates following common treatment interventions make more effective interventions highly needed. The aim of the present study was to enhance our understanding of the impact of impulsivity on relapse during treatment and thus to outline possible individual characteristics that make more tailored interventions necessary. Methodology: Forty-two patients with a diagnosis of MUD admitted to inpatient treatment and 21 matched healthy control participants (HC) completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) as a self-reported measure of trait impulsivity and a go/no-go task with methamphetamine-associated and neutral stimuli to assess deficits of response inhibition. Relapse rates of patients during treatment were assessed. Results: Higher impairment of response inhibition, but not trait impulsivity, significantly predicted relapse during treatment. These findings were observed although patients with MUD compared to HC did not differ with regard to deficits of response inhibition. Conclusions: These findings suggest that patients with MUD who show enhanced deficits of response inhibition are more vulnerable to relapse during treatment and need more tailored treatment interventions.

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