Cerebral and spinal modulation of pain by emotions

Emotions have powerful effects on pain perception. However, the brain mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown. In this study, we combined functional cerebral imaging with psychophysiological methods to explore the neural mechanisms involved in the emotional modulation of spinal no...

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Published inProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 106; no. 49; pp. 20900 - 20905
Main Authors Roy, Mathieu, Piché, Mathieu, Chen, Jen-I, Peretz, Isabelle, Rainville, Pierre
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States National Academy of Sciences 08.12.2009
National Acad Sciences
Subjects
Biological Sciences
Brain
Brain - physiopathology
Brain Mapping
Brain stem
Electrical stimulation
Emotion
Emotional distress
Emotional expression
Emotions
Emotions - physiology
Female
Humans
Magnetic resonance imaging
Male
Nerve Net - physiopathology
Pain
Pain - physiopathology
Pain Measurement
Pain perception
Perceptions
Reflex - physiology
Reflexes
Self control
Social Sciences
Spine - physiopathology
Thalamus
Young Adult
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Summary:Emotions have powerful effects on pain perception. However, the brain mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown. In this study, we combined functional cerebral imaging with psychophysiological methods to explore the neural mechanisms involved in the emotional modulation of spinal nociceptive responses (RIII-reflex) and pain perception in healthy participants. Emotions induced by pleasant or unpleasant pictures modulated the responses to painful electrical stimulations in the right insula, paracentral lobule, parahippocampal gyrus, thalamus, and amygdala. Right insula activation covaried with the modulation of pain perception, consistent with a key role of this structure in the integration of pain signals with the ongoing emotion. In contrast, activity in the thalamus, amygdala, and several prefrontal areas was associated with the modulation of spinal reflex responses. Last, connectivity analyses suggested an involvement of prefrontal, parahippocampal, and brainstem structures in the cerebral and cerebrospinal modulation of pain by emotions. This multiplicity of mechanisms underlying the emotional modulation of pain is reflective of the strong interrelations between pain and emotions, and emphasizes the powerful effects that emotions can have on pain.
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Edited by Antonio R. Damasio, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, and accepted by the Editorial Board September 28, 2009
Author contributions: M.R., M.P., and P.R. designed research; M.R. and M.P. performed research; M.R. and J.-I.C. analyzed data; and M.R., M.P., I.P., and P.R. wrote the paper.
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.0904706106