Using event-related fMRI, the temporal evolution of brain activity during the subacute pain state DOMS was mapped in the human brain. We located strongest and widespread pain-related activations in the primary motor and sensory cortex that affected the area somatotopically related to the thigh and also adjacent areas reminiscent of the transient cortical remodelling described in chronic pain states, such as CRPS or phantom limb pain. Further pain-related activation was located in the SMA, IPL, STG, bilaterally in the insula and the cingulate cortex. Activation in the cerebellum was most widespread when pain from DOMS occurred in combination with limb movement. Our study demonstrated that defined stimulation or repeated contraction of a DOMS-affected painful muscle can evoke strong and reproducible increases in BOLD signal; therefore pain from DOMS provides an effective, non-invasive model to study the central processing of inflammatory muscle pain
Very interesting stuff. I wonder what signals the pain is sending....protecting more than just the inflamed muscles.....
2 comments:
Could be that when the brain senses a weak/damaged muscle it translates that into weakness or instability in all related muscles/joints and seeks to stabilize by registering pain and throttling back the rest of the movements... similar to how it doesn’t let you generate all the force your muscle is capable of if it senses instability.
It is a fascinating study, but it shouldn't be shocking that the brain senses pain via the group III and IV afferents and that this signal is translated across numerous cortical and subcortical areas.
I'd be much more surprised if DOMS didn't show up on an fMRI.
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