Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex sensing analgesia

Abstract

Chronic pain often has an unknown cause, and many patients with chronic pain learn to accept that their pain is incurable and pharmacologic treatments are only temporarily effective. Complementary and integrative health approaches for pain are thus in high demand. One such approach is soft touch, e.g., adhesion of pyramidal thorn patches in a pain region. The effects of patch adhesion on pain relief have been confirmed in patients with various types of pain. A recent study using near-infrared spectroscopy revealed that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), especially the left side, is likely to be inactivated in patients experiencing pain relief during patch treatment. Mindfulness meditation is another well-known complementary and integrative approach for achieving pain relief. The relation between pain relief due to mindfulness meditation and changes in brain regions, including the DLPFC, has long been examined. In the present review article, we survey the literature describing the effects of the above-mentioned complementary and integrative treatments on pain relief, and outline the important brain regions, including the DLPFC, that are involved in analgesia. We hope that the present article will provide clues to researchers who hope to advance neurosensory treatments for pain relief without medication.

Profile of dorsal root ganglion neurons: study of oxytocin expression

“…Previous studies have suggested that humans and other mammals feel comfort (i.e., pleasure) when the perception of mild skin stimulation is sent to the brain via C fibers [ 30 , 31 ]. It is possible that, in such a situation, OXT is released not only from the hypothalamus but also in the DRG.…”

Influence of gap junctions upon Ca²⁺ propagation from stimulated keratinocytes to DRG neurons

“…Recent studies have revealed that DRG neurons contain oxytocin and its related receptors including TRP channels. Oxytocin has been reported to play some roles in the DRGs [ 28 – 32 ], because oxytocin acts on DRG neurons and suppresses the firing of action potentials [ 33 , 34 ]. The expression of oxytocin was also confirmed in DRG neurons [ 35 ].…”

Pharmacological Treatments and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Patients with Chronic Pain

“…Since the first publication of “Cancer pain relief”, it has become quite evident that pain management, regardless of the type of pain, should be tailored to the individual patient [ 40 , 60 ]. Moreover, the progress of knowledge on pain mechanisms, the results derived from clinical trials, and the development of new medical technologies have allowed researchers to improve the efficacy of the available therapies [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ].…”