Supraspinal Effects of Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation in Chronic Pain Patients. Issue 4 (11th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parker, Tariq; Huang, Yongzhi; Raghu, Ashley L. B.; FitzGerald, James; Aziz, Tipu Z.; Green, Alexander L.
• Is Part Of: Neuromodulaton. Volume 24:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 646
• Page End: 654
• Publication Date: 2021-05-11
• Subjects: Case series -- chronic pain -- complex regional pain syndrome -- DRG stimulation -- failed back surgery syndrome -- MEG -- neuropathic pain -- neurostimulation -- peripheral nerve stimulation -- postherpetic neuralgia; Central nervous system -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ner.13408
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1094-7159

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) has become a popular neuromodulatory treatment for neuropathic pain. We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate potential biomarkers of pain and pain relief, based on the differences in power spectral density (PSD) during varying degrees of pain and how these oscillations change during DRGS‐mediated pain relief. Materials and Methods: Thirteen chronic pain patients with implanted dorsal root ganglion stimulators were included in the MEG analysis. MEG Recordings were performed at rest while the stimulator was turned ON or OFF. Numerical rating scale (NRS) scores were also recorded before and after DRGS was turned OFF and ON. Power spectral and source localization analyses were then performed on preprocessed MEG recordings. Results: With DRGS‐OFF, patients in severe pain had significantly increased cortical theta (4–7 Hz) power and decreased cortical alpha (7–13 Hz) power compared to patients reporting less pain. This shift in power toward lower frequencies was contrasted by a shift toward the higher frequency power spectrum (low beta 13–20 Hz activity) during DRGS‐mediated pain relief. A significant correlation was found between the increase in low beta activity and the degree of reported pain relief. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate increased low‐frequency power spectral activity in chronic pain patients in the absence of stimulation which shifts toward higher frequency power spectrum activity in response to therapeutic DRGS. These cortical changes in response to DRGS provide support for the use of neuroimaging in the search for potential biomarkers of pain.