Distinct networks of periaqueductal gray columns in pain and threat processing.
Neuroimage
; 250: 118936, 2022 04 15.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35093518
ABSTRACT
Noxious events that can cause physical damage to the body are perceived as threats. In the brainstem, the periaqueductal gray (PAG) ensures survival by generating an appropriate response to these threats. Hence, the experience of pain is coupled with threat signaling and interfaces in the dl/l and vlPAG columns. In this study, we triangulate the functional circuits of the dl/l and vlPAG by using static and time-varying functional connectivity (FC) in multiple fMRI scans in healthy participants (n = 37, 21 female). The dl/l and vlPAG were activated during cue, heat, and rating periods when the cue signaled a high threat of experiencing heat pain and when the incoming intensity of heat pain was unknown. Responses were significantly lower after low threat cues. The two regions responded similarly to the cued conditions but showed prominent distinctions in the extent of FC with other brain regions. Thus, both static and time-varying FC showed significant differences in the functional circuits of dl/l and vlPAG in rest and task scans. The dl/lPAG consistently synchronized with the salience network and the thalamus, suggesting a role in threat detection, while the vlPAG exhibited more widespread synchronization and frequently connected with memory/language and sensory regions. Hence, these two PAG regions process heat pain when stronger pain is expected or when it is uncertain, and preferentially synchronize with distinct brain circuits in a reproducible manner. The dl/lPAG seems more directly involved in salience detection, while the vlPAG seems engaged in contextualizing threats.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Mapeamento Encefálico
/
Substância Cinzenta Periaquedutal
/
Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética
/
Dor nas Costas
/
Percepção da Dor
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Neuroimage
Assunto da revista:
DIAGNOSTICO POR IMAGEM
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article