Functional MRI involving painful stimulation of the ankle and the effect of physiotherapy joint mobilization.
We examined whether cerebral activation due to secondary hyperalgesia resulting from intrajoint capsaicin injection could be detected using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in alpha-chloralose anesthetized rats. We also examined whether we could detect analgesic changes in the central nervous system response to pain as a result of physiotherapy joint manipulation. Robust activation of areas of the brain known to be associated with the processing of pain, namely the anterior cingulate (bilateral), frontal cortex (bilateral) and sensory motor cortex (contralateral), was found in all animals following injection of 25 microl of capsaicin (128 microg/ml in 7.5% DMSO) into the plantar surface of the rat hindpaw (n = 7) and 75 microL into the ankle joint (n = 13). Significantly greater activation was observed when capsaicin was injected into the plantar surface of the hindpaw compared to the ankle joint. Mechanical allodynia and secondary hyperalgesia following capsaicin injection into the ankle joint also resulted in activation of the same brain regions. Trends toward decreased areas of activation in brain regions associated with pain in animals following physiotherapy joint mobilization were observed.
Malisza
Krisztina L
KL
Institute for Biodiagnostics, National Research Council, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Kris.malisza@nrc.ca
Gregorash
Lori
L
Turner
Allan
A
Foniok
Tadeusz
T
Stroman
Patrick W
PW
Allman
Ava-Ann
AA
Summers
Randy
R
Wright
Anthony
A
D000818:Animals; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006614:Hindlimb; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D002211:Capsaicin