Neural Oscillations: Understanding a Neural Code of Pain

Abstract

Neural oscillations play an important role in the integration and segregation of brain regions that are important for brain functions, including pain. Disturbances in oscillatory activity are associated with several disease states, including chronic pain. Studies of neural oscillations related to pain have identified several functional bands, especially alpha, beta, and gamma bands, implicated in nociceptive processing. In this review, we introduce several properties of neural oscillations that are important to understand the role of brain oscillations in nociceptive processing. We also discuss the role of neural oscillations in the maintenance of efficient communication in the brain. Finally, we discuss the role of neural oscillations in healthy and chronic pain nociceptive processing. These data and concepts illustrate the key role of regional and interregional neural oscillations in nociceptive processing underlying acute and chronic pains.

Angular gyrus connectivity at alpha and beta oscillations is reduced during tonic pain – Differential effect of eye state

“…The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) are shown to have strong connections with the AG ( Igelstrom et al, 2015 , Igelström and Graziano, 2017 , Kong et al, 2010 , Kucyi et al, 2014 , Tanaka and Kirino, 2019 ) and play major roles in pain perception ( Garcia-Larrea and Peyron, 2013 , Kong et al, 2010 , Kucyi et al, 2014 , Kucyi and Davis, 2015 ). Connectivity between these three areas (major hubs within the DMN) is shown to be positively correlated with the activity of alpha and beta bands ( Bowman et al, 2017 , Mantini et al, 2007 , Neuner et al, 2014 , Samogin et al, 2019 , Tang et al, 2017 ) – two brain rhythms recognized for their role in pain processing ( Kim and Davis, 2021 ). EEG, MEG, and intracranial recordings have revealed alpha/beta decreased power in response to tonic pain ( Furman et al, 2020 , Giehl et al, 2014 , Nickel et al, 2017 , Nir et al, 2012 , Schulz et al, 2015 ), that increases during chronic pain ( Kisler et al, 2020 ).…”

“…seconds or few minutes). However, understanding the transition from acute to persistent pain requires models capable of inducing pain over a longer duration to better model chronic pain conditions ( Kim and Davis, 2021 ). These tonic pain models, albeit still brief in comparison to persistent pain, can provide insight into changes associated with tonic pain before developing into more persistent states.…”

Association of Pain During the Evaluation of Delirium in Intensive Care Unit Patients

“…In contrast, by removing attention (i.e., distraction), this influence disappears ( 1 ). The foregoing suggests dynamism from the information flow's context in pain processing, being an adaptable network with functional connections, neurobiologically constructing the painful experience as a flexible phenomenon ( 8 ).…”

“…It is also related to attentional processes, working memory and long-term memory ( 14 ). Pain saliency ( 8 , 16 ).…”

“…Evidence suggests that when cognitive, behavioral, and contextual resources are required, attention can optimize resources toward goal-relevant information ( 22 ). Pain -as an inherent prominent stimulus ( 23 )- and nociceptive processing are closely intertwined with attentional processes ( 8 ), situating and embedding the dynamic integration of sensory and contextual processes during painful experiences ( 1 ).…”