Alterations in power spectral density in motor- and pain-related networks on neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury

Eunhee Park; Hyunsil Cha; Eunji Kim; Yu-Sun Min; Ae Ryoung Kim; Hui Joong Lee; Tae-Du Jung; Yongmin Chang

doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102342

Alterations in power spectral density in motor- and pain-related networks on neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury

Neuroimage Clin. 2020:28:102342. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102342. Epub 2020 Jul 25.

Authors

Eunhee Park¹, Hyunsil Cha², Eunji Kim², Yu-Sun Min¹, Ae Ryoung Kim¹, Hui Joong Lee³, Tae-Du Jung⁴, Yongmin Chang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Korea; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
² Department of Medical & Biological Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
³ Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea; Department of Radiology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
⁴ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Korea; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea. Electronic address: teeed0522@hanmail.net.
⁵ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Korea; Department of Radiology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea; Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.

Abstract

Background: The mechanisms by which mobility function and neuropathic pain are mutually influenced by supraspinal plasticity in motor- and pain-related brain networks following spinal cord injury (SCI) remains poorly understood.

Objective: To determine cortical and subcortical resting-state network alterations using power spectral density (PSD) analysis and investigate the relationships between these intrinsic alterations and mobility function and neuropathic pain following SCI.

Methods: A total of 41 patients with incomplete SCI and 33 healthy controls were included. The degree of mobility and balance function and severity of neuropathic pain and depressive mood were evaluated. The resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of low-frequency fluctuations were analyzed based on PSD. Differences in PSD values between patients with SCI and controls were assessed using the two-sample t-test (false discovery rate-corrected P < 0.05). The relationship between PSD values and mobility function and pain intensity was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient adjusted for the severity of depressive mood.

Results: Compared with healthy controls, lower PSD values in supplementary motor and medial prefrontal areas (the anterior cingulate cortex, ventral medial prefrontal cortex, and superior orbito-prefrontal cortex) were associated with greater pain severity and poorer postural balance and mobility (P < 0.05) in patients with SCI, whereas higher PSD values in the primary motor cortex, premotor cortex, thalamus, and periaqueductal gray were associated with greater pain severity and poorer postural balance and mobility (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Cortical and subcortical plastic alterations in intrinsic motor- and pain-related networks were observed in patients with SCI and were simultaneously associated with neuropathic pain intensity and degree of mobility function.

Keywords: Mobility; Neuropathic pain; Power spectral density; Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging; Spinal cord injury.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Brain
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Male
Middle Aged
Neuralgia* / diagnostic imaging
Neuralgia* / etiology
Pain Measurement
Spinal Cord Injuries* / complications
Spinal Cord Injuries* / diagnostic imaging