Some of the Effects of Acupuncture in Knee Pain May be Due to Activation of the Reward System

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 67-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Lundeberg
Keyword(s):  
Limbic System ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Reward System ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
The Body ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Acupuncture is an ancient therapy with a variety of different explanatory models. A cascade of physiologic effects has been reported, both in the peripheral and the central nervous system, following the insertion of a needle. Clinical trials testing the specific claims of acupuncture have generally tried to focus on testing the efficacy of applying specific techniques and/or specified points. However, different conditions may respond differently to different modes of stimulation. Also, insertion of needles into the body can stimulate effects not dependent on the locations of stimulation. Recently, it was demonstrated that both superficial and deep needling (with de qi/Hibiki) resulted in amelioration of patellofemoral pain and an increased feeling of wellbeing. One area in the brain that is affected by acupuncture stimulation is the limbic system. The limbic system consists of a group of brain structures, including the hippocampus, amygdala, and their interconnections, and connections with the hypothalamus, septal area, and portions of the tegmentum. It contains many of the centres related to emotion and reward. The pleasurable aspect of the acupuncture experience has largely been ignored as it has been considered to be part of its antinociceptive effects. It has previously been reported that physical exercise and electroacupuncture in animals result in modulation of the peptidergic content in limbic structures. These results are supported by recent animal studies in Japan that have clearly demonstrated that acupuncture results in the activation of the reward system. These findings are supported by positron emission tomography studies in patients, which showed that the insula ipsilateral to the site of needling was activated, as well as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate and the midbrain. Taken together, these results suggest that acupuncture, as well as the patient's expectation and belief regarding a potentially beneficial treatment, modulate activity in the reward system.

Cerebral Metabolism during Propofol Anesthesia in Humans Studied with Positron Emission Tomography 

1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 393-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Alkire ◽  
Richard J. Haier ◽  
Steven J. Barker ◽  
Nitin K. Shah ◽  
Joseph C. Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positron Emission Tomography ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Cerebral Metabolism ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Emission Tomography ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Metabolic Pattern ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Cortical Regions

Background Although the effects of propofol on cerebral metabolism have been studied in animals, these effects have yet to be directly examined in humans. Consequently, we used positron emission tomography (PET) to demonstrate in vivo the regional cerebral metabolic changes that occur in humans during propofol anesthesia. Methods Six volunteers each underwent two PET scans; one scan assessed awake-baseline metabolism, and the other assessed metabolism during anesthesia with a propofol infusion titrated to the point of unresponsiveness (mean rate +/- SD = 7.8 +/- 1.5 mg.kg-1.h-1). Scans were obtained using the 18fluorodeoxyglucose technique. Results Awake whole-brain glucose metabolic rates (GMR) averaged 29 +/- 8 mumoles.100 g-1.min-1 (mean +/- SD). Anesthetized whole-brain GMR averaged 13 +/- 4 mumoles.100 g-1.min-1 (paired t test, P < or = 0.007). GMR decreased in all measured areas during anesthesia. However, the decrease in GMR was not uniform. Cortical metabolism was depressed 58%, whereas subcortical metabolism was depressed 48% (P < or = 0.001). Marked differences within cortical regions also occurred. In the medial and subcortical regions, the largest percent decreases occurred in the left anterior cingulate and the inferior colliculus. Conclusion Propofol produced a global metabolic depression on the human central nervous system. The metabolic pattern evident during anesthesia was reproducible and differed from that seen in the awake condition. These findings are consistent with those from previous animal studies and suggest PET may be useful for investigating the mechanisms of anesthesia in humans.

scholarly journals Methamphetamine-Triggered Neurotoxicity in Human Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 2016
Author(s):  
Ali Zare ◽  
Alireza Ghanbari ◽  
Mohammad Javad Hoseinpour ◽  
Mahdi Eskandarian Boroujeni ◽  
Alimohammad Alimohammadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Metabolic Activation ◽  
Neural Cells ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Brain

Background: Methamphetamine (MA), is an extremely addictive stimulant that adversely affects the central nervous system. Accumulating evidence indicates that molecular mechanisms such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy are involved in the toxicity of MA. Considering experimental animal studies exhibiting MA-induced neurotoxicity, the relevance of these findings needs to be evidently elucidated in human MA users. It is generally assumed that multiple chemical substances released in the brain following MA-induced metabolic activation are primary factors underlying damage of neural cells. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of autophagy and apoptosis as well as oxidative stress in the brain of postmortem MA-induced toxicity. Materials and Methods: In this study, we determine the gene expression of autophagy and apoptosis, including BECN1, MAP1ALC3, CASP8, TP53, and BAX genes in ten healthy controls and ten chronic users of MA postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Also, we applied immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded human brain samples to analyze brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Also, spectrophotometry was performed to measure glutathione (GSH) content. Results: The expression level of apoptotic and autophagic genes (BECN1, MAP1ALC3, CASP8, TP53, and BAX) were significantly elevated, while GSH content and BDNF showed substantial reductions in DLPFC of chronic MA users. Discussion: Our data showed that MA addiction provokes transduction pathways, namely apoptosis and autophagy, along with oxidative mechanisms in DLPFC. Also, MA induces multiple functional and structural perturbations in the brain, determining its toxicity and possibly contributing to neurotoxicity. [GMJ.2021;10:e2016]

Altered Metabolism in Frontal Brain Circuits in Cluster Headache

Cephalalgia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 1033-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Sprenger ◽  
KV Ruether ◽  
H Boecker ◽  
M Valet ◽  
A Berthele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Brain Metabolism ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Acute Attack ◽  
Posterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Positron Emission

Neuroimaging studies have explored cerebral activation patterns in patients with cluster headache (CH) during attacks and have revealed activation of multiple brain areas known to belong to the general pain-processing network. However, it is still unclear which changes in brain metabolism are inherent to the shift from the ‘in bout’ to the ‘out of bout’ period. We measured cerebral glucose metabolism in 11 episodic CH patients during the cluster and again during the remission period with 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and compared these data with 11 healthy controls. ‘In bout’ compared with ‘out of bout’ scans were associated with increases of metabolism in the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), posterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, insula, thalamus and temporal cortex. Decreases in metabolism were observed in the cerebellopontine area. Compared with healthy volunteers, hypometabolism in the patient group (‘in bout’ and ‘out of bout’) was found in the perigenual ACC, prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortex. Thus, FDG-PET in CH patients revealed ‘in bout’ activation of brain structures which are involved in descending pain control. Compared with controls, the regional brain metabolism was constitutively decreased in most of these structures, irrespective of the bout. This finding indicates a deficient top-down modulation of antinociceptive circuits in CH patients. We suggest that trigger mechanisms of CH are insufficiently controlled and thus promote the initiation of the bout period and acute attack.

Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of Human Forebrain Activity During Heat Pain: Analysis by Positron Emission Tomography

2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 951-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth L. Casey ◽  
Thomas J. Morrow ◽  
Jürgen Lorenz ◽  
Satoshi Minoshima
Keyword(s):  
Premotor Cortex ◽  
Insular Cortex ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Average Intensity ◽  
Heat Pain ◽  
Heat Stimulation ◽  
Perceived Intensity ◽  
Positron Emission

To learn about the sequence of brain activation patterns during heat pain, we acquired positron emission tomographic (PET) brain scans at different times during repetitive heat stimulation (40 or 50°C; 5-s contact) of each subject's left forearm. Early scans began at the onset of 60 s of stimulation; late scans began after 40 s of stimulation, which continued throughout the 60-s scan period (total stimulus duration 100 s). Each subject (14 normal, right-handed subjects; 10 male, 4 female; ages 18–42) used a visual analog scale to rate the perceived stimulus intensity (0 = no heat, 7 = pain threshold, 10 = barely tolerable pain) after each scan. The 40°C stimulation received an average intensity rating of 2.19 ± 1.22 (mean ± SD) and the 50°C an average rating of 8.93 ± 1.33. During the scan sessions, subjects did not report a difference between early and late scans. To examine the effect of the duration of stimulation specifically, 8 of these subjects rated the perceived intensity of each of 20 sequential 5-s duration contact heat stimuli (40 or 50°C; 100 s of stimulation). We used a graphical method to detect changes in perceived unpleasantness. There was no difference in perceived intensity or unpleasantness during the 40°C stimulation. However, during 50°C stimulation, perceived unpleasantness increased and subjects perceived the last five, but not the second five, stimuli as more intense than the first five stimuli. These psychophysical changes could be mediated by brain structures with increasing activity from early to late PET scans or that are active only during late scans. These structures include the contralateral M1/S1 cortex, bilateral S2 and mid-insular cortex, contralateral VP thalamus, medial ipsilateral thalamus, and the vermis and paravermis of the cerebellum. Structures that are equally active throughout stimulation (contralateral mid-anterior cingulate and premotor cortex) are less likely to mediate these psychophysical changes. Some cortical, but not subcortical, structures showed significant or borderline activation only during the early scans (ipsilateral premotor cortex, contralateral perigenual anterior cingulate, lateral prefrontal, and anterior insular cortex); they may mediate pain-related attentive or anticipatory functions. Overall, the results reveal that 1) the pattern of brain activation and the perception of heat pain both change during repetitive noxious heat stimulation, 2) cortical activity can be detected before subcortical responses appear, and 3) timing the stimulation with respect to the scan period can, together with psychophysical measurements, identify brain structures that are likely to participate in the perception of pain.

The Neural Substrate for Concrete, Abstract, and Emotional Word Lexica A Positron Emission Tomography Study

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Beauregard ◽  
H. Chertkow ◽  
D. Bub ◽  
S. Murtha ◽  
R. Dixon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Word Processing ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Injection Technique ◽  
Emotional Words ◽  
Perceptual Analysis ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Normal Individuals ◽  
Neural Substrate

Viewing of single words produces a cognitively complex mental state in which anticipation, emotional responses, visual perceptual analysis, and activation of orthographic representations are all occurring. Previous PET studies have produced conflicting results, perhaps due to the conflation of these separate processes or the presence of subtle differences in stimulus material and methodology. A PET study of 10 normal individuals was carried out using the bolus H215O intravenous injection technique to examine components of processing of passively viewed words. Subjects viewed blocks of random-letter strings or abstract, concrete, or emotional words (words with positive or negative emotional salience). Baseline conditions were either passive viewing of plus signs or an anticipatory state (viewing plus signs after being warned to expect words or random letters to appear imminently). All words (and to a lesser extent the random letters) produced robust activation of cerebral blood flow in the left posterior temporal lobe, in addition to bilateral occipital activation. Furthermore, emotional words produced activation in orbital and midline frontal structures. Further activation in the left orbital frontal gyrus, the left inferior temporal gyrus, the left caudate nucleus, the anterior cingulate, and the cerebellum could be ascribed to the anticipatory state. This pattern of activity suggests that the occipital regions are recruited for visual-perceptual analysis of words, and the left temporal lobe represents the neural substrate for the orthographic lexicon. In addition, emotionally relevant material produces further processing in limbic brain structures of the frontal lobes. Detailed analysis of the task therefore substantially clarifies the neuroanatomic basis of single-word processing.

scholarly journals HF-rTMS Treatment in Medication-Resistant Melancholic Depression: Results from 18FDG-PET Brain Imaging

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 439-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Baeken ◽  
Rudi De Raedt ◽  
Christian Van Hove ◽  
Peter Clerinx ◽  
Johan De Mey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ◽  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
18Fdg Pet ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Brodmann Areas

ABSTRACTIntroduction: High frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) might be a promising strategy to treat depression, but not all patients show a positive outcome.Objective: In this open study, we evaluate whether a favorable HF-rTMS treatment outcome could be predicted by baseline prefrontal brain glucose metabolism (CMRglc), measured by 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET).Methods: A sample of 21 antidepressant-free, treatment-resistant depression (TRD) patients of the melancholic subtype received 10 sessions of HF-rTMS delivered on the left DLPFC. Patients underwent a static 18FDG-PET before and after HF-rTMS treatment.Results: Forty-three percent of the patients showed a reduction of at least 50% on their Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores. Higher baseline metabolic activities in the DLPFC and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were associated with better clinical outcome. Successful HF-rTMS treatment was related to metabolic changes in subdivisions of the ACC (Brodmann areas 24 and 32).Conclusion: This biological impact of HF-rTMS on regional brain CMRglc explains to some extent how HF-rTMS may improve moods in TRD patients. Larger sham-controlled HF-rTMS treatment studies are needed to confirm these results.

scholarly journals HYGIENIC REGULATION OF THE USE OF INTERACTIVE EQUIPMENT IN THE CLASSROOM IN KINDERGARTEN

2018 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-229
Author(s):  
Marina I. Stepanova ◽  
Z. I. Sazanyuk ◽  
I. E. Aleksandrova ◽  
M. A. Polenova ◽  
I. P. Vishneva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Functional State ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
The Body ◽  
Interactive Whiteboard ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sensorimotor Responses

Introduction. The purpose of the study was to assess the hygienic impact of classes with using an interactive whiteboard and an interactive table on the functional state of the body of preschool children aged 6-7 years. Material and methods. The results of studies of the impact of classes using interactive equipment in kindergarten on the functional state of the body of children aged 6-7 years. The interactive whiteboard was used in all classes (two or three) during the day. Continuous duration of its use at each session did not exceed 5 minutes, in total - 15 minutes during play activities used the interactive table which lasted up to 10 min. Results. The comparative analysis of the results of the studies did not reveal any differences in the indices of fatigue and psycho-emotional state of children in the response to developmental activities with and without the use of interactive equipment. The expressed activating influence of occupations with use of the interactive equipment on the activity of the central nervous system is established. This was manifested in a significant increase in the speed of complex sensorimotor responses and a decrease in the probability of an error. Discussion. In our opinion, the approximate response to the novelty, bright and attractive form of information presentation with the interactive equipment lead to the functional mobilization of brain structures involved in the analysis of information, followed by a more pronounced concentration of attention, creates an optimal tone of the central nervous system, providing ease and speed of lockings and functioning of nerve connections underlying learning.

Acute poisoning with phenothiazine neuroleptics. Phenothiazine coma

2021 ◽  
pp. 16-27
Author(s):  
V. N. Alexandrovsky ◽  
S. S. Petrikov ◽  
M. V. Kareva
Keyword(s):  
Evoked Potentials ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
Acute Poisoning ◽  
The Body ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Electrophysiological Studies ◽  
Treatment Measures ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Deep Brain

The article summarizes the authors' long-term experience in the diagnosis and treatment of acute poisoning with phenothiazine derivatives and presents data on the epidemiology of the effects of phenothiazines on the central nervous system. The original classification of acute phenothiazine intoxication confirmed by electrophysiological studies of the brain is given. The involvement of deep brain structures in the pathogenesis of acute phenothiazine coma has been confirmed. Based on studies of visual evoked potentials, the absence of inhibition of deep brain structures despite a pronounced comatose state is shown. In some cases, repeated light stimulation provoked hypersynchronization of evoked potentials and the appearance of convulsive manifestations in the clinic, which was regarded as a state of parabiosis (according to N.E. Vvedensky). Emergency treatment measures for phenothiazine poisoning associated with accelerated detoxification of the body mainly using active methods such as peritoneal dialysis, intestinal lavage with constant monitoring of respiratory function and the cardiovascular system, are presented. The materials of the article will help doctors of intensive care and toxicology departments to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment of these pathologies.

Hypnosis Modulates Activity in Brain Structures Involved in the Regulation of Consciousness

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 887-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Rainville ◽  
Robert K. Hofbauer ◽  
M. Catherine Bushnell ◽  
Gary H. Duncan ◽  
Donald D. Price
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
State Theory ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Subcortical Structures ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Hypnotic Induction ◽  
Attentional System ◽  
Key Dimensions ◽  
Pet Scans

The notion of consciousness is at the core of an ongoing debate on the existence and nature of hypnotic states. Previously, we have described changes in brain activity associated with hypnosis (Rainville, Hofbauer, Paus, Duncan, Bushnell, & Price, 1999). Here, we replicate and extend those findings using positron emission tomography (PET) in 10 normal volunteers. Immediately after each of 8 PET scans performed before (4 scans) and after (4 scans) the induction of hypnosis, subjects rated their perceived level of “mental relaxation” and “mental absorption,” two of the key dimensions describing the experience of being hypnotized. Regression analyses between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and self-ratings confirm the hypothesized involvement of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the thalamus, and the ponto-mesencephalic brainstem in the production of hypnotic states. Hypnotic relaxation further involved an increase in occipital rCBF that is consistent with our previous interpretation that hypnotic states are characterized by a decrease in cortical arousal and a reduction in cross-modality suppression (disinhibition). In contrast, increases in mental absorption during hypnosis were associated with rCBF increases in a distributed network of cortical and subcortical structures previously described as the brain's attentional system. These findings are discussed in support of a state theory of hypnosis in which the basic changes in phenomenal experience produced by hypnotic induction reflect, at least in part, the modulation of activity within brain areas critically involved in the regulation of consciousness.

Continued Growth of the Central Nervous System without Mandatory Addition of Neurons in the Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

2016 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayanda Ngwenya ◽  
Nina Patzke ◽  
Paul R. Manger ◽  
Suzana Herculano-Houzel
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Brain Structures ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Nile Crocodile

It is generally believed that animals with larger bodies require larger brains, composed of more neurons. Across mammalian species, there is a correlation between body mass and the number of brain neurons, albeit with low allometric exponents. If larger bodies imperatively require more neurons to operate them, then such an increase in the number of neurons should be detected across individuals of a continuously growing species, such as the Nile crocodile. In the current study we use the isotropic fractionator method of cell counting to determine how the number of neurons and non-neurons in 6 specific brain regions and the spinal cord change with increasing body mass in the Nile crocodile. The central nervous system (CNS) structures examined all increase in mass as a function of body mass, with allometric exponents of around 0.2, except for the spinal cord, which increases with an exponent of 0.6. We find that numbers of non-neurons increase slowly, but significantly, in all CNS structures, scaling as a function of body mass with exponents ranging between 0.1 and 0.3. In contrast, numbers of neurons scale with body mass in the spinal cord, olfactory bulb, cerebellum and telencephalon, with exponents of between 0.08 and 0.20, but not in the brainstem and diencephalon, the brain structures that receive inputs and send outputs to the growing body. Densities of both neurons and non-neurons decrease with increasing body mass. These results indicate that increasing body mass with growth in the Nile crocodile is associated with a general addition of non-neurons and increasing cell size throughout CNS structures, but is only associated with an addition of neurons in some structures (and at very small rates) and not in those brain structures directly connected to the body. Larger bodies thus do not imperatively require more neurons to operate them.

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