The development of the nociceptive brain. (3rd December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verriotis, Madeleine; Chang, Pishan; Fitzgerald, Maria; Fabrizi, Lorenzo
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 338(2016)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2016-12-03
• Subjects: ACC anterior cingulate cortex -- DTI Diffusion Tensor Imaging -- ECoG electrocorticography -- EEG electroencephalography -- ERPs event-related potentials -- FA fractional anisotropy -- fMRI functional magnetic resonance imaging -- GA gestational age -- GM gray matter -- MEG magnetoencephalography -- NIRS near-infrared spectroscopy -- PFC prefrontal cortex -- SI primary somatosensory cortices -- SII secondary somatosensory cortices -- WM white matter; infant -- pain -- cortex -- connectome -- imaging -- Somatosensory; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.07.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Highlights: How infants begin to experience pain has neuroscientific and clinical importance. The developing human connectome provides the substrate of the nociceptive brain. Electrophysiological and haemodynamic brain activity recordings promise new insights. Further research in infant animal models will help to interpret human infant data. Abstract: This review addresses the fundamental question of how we first experience pain, at the beginning of our lives. The brain is activated by peripheral tissue damaging stimulation from birth, but unlike other sensory systems, the pain system in healthy individuals cannot rely upon prolonged activity-dependent shaping through repeated noxious stimulation. Considering the importance of pain, remarkably little is known about when and how nociceptive cortical network activity characteristic of the mature adult brain develops. We begin this review by considering the underlying framework of connections in the infant brain. Since this developing brain connectome is necessary, if not sufficient, for pain experience, we discuss the structural and functional development of cortical and subcortical networks that contribute to this network. We then review specific information on the development of nociceptive processing in the infant brain, considering evidence from neurophysiological and hemodynamic measures separately, as the two are not always consistent. Finally we highlight areas that require further research and discuss how information gained from laboratory animal models will greatly increase our understanding in this area.