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Brain Sciences
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Advances in the Study of Mechanisms Underlying Touch and Pain
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Advances in the Study of Mechanisms Underlying Touch and Pain

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuroscience of Pain".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (16 June 2023) | Viewed by 12498

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Enrique Velasco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Ion Channels Research, VIB-KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
Interests: pain; biophyisics; nociception; systems neuroscience; physical rehabilitation; neural stimula-tion
Prof. Dr. Karel Talavera

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Ion Channels Research, VIB-KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
Interests: TRP channels; voltage-gated channels; membrane biophysics; electrophysiology; mathematical modeling; pharmacology; signal transduction; pain; inflammation; chemosensation; taste; cardiovascular function; bladder function; innate immunity; neuro-immune interactions; epithelial function; nanotoxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Víctor M. Meseguer

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
Interests: ocular neurobiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As our senses constitute a major entry gate of information into our nervous system, great efforts have been dedicated to their study. Particularly, the relationship between the activity of the somatosensory system with the generation of pain perception has attracted a huge amount of attention. This interest is justified, as pain is the main symptom of many societally worrying pathological conditions and one of our more primal reactions towards stimulation. Moreover, touch sensing has been the paramount experimental preparation in somatosensory system studies, specifically the use rodent whisker systems, which has allowed us to dive into the central circuits that process the different features of a stimulus.

In this Special Issue, we want to compile new evidence that untangles the mechanistic bases of pain and touch. Therefore, we welcome both original articles and reviews of recent advances on topics ranging from channel biophysics, peripheral sensing and transduction, systems and circuits neuroscience, and any other research related to the treatment of pathological conditions presenting pain or touch.

Dr. Enrique Velasco
Prof. Dr. Karel Talavera
Prof. Dr. Víctor M. Meseguer
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 252 KiB  
Article
The Language of Pain in the Hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome: Metaphors as a Key to Understanding the Experience of Pain and as a Rehabilitation Tool
by Filippo Camerota, Rachele Mariani, Giulia Cordiano, Michela Di Trani, Valentina Lodato, Alessandro Ferraris, Massimo Pasquini and Claudia Celletti
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(7), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13071042 - 8 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2813
Abstract
Ehlers–Danlos syndromes are a heterogeneous group of Heritable Connective Tissue Disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. Among the different types, the hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is the most frequent and includes generalized joint hypermobility as the major diagnostic criterion. Joint [...] Read more.
Ehlers–Danlos syndromes are a heterogeneous group of Heritable Connective Tissue Disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. Among the different types, the hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is the most frequent and includes generalized joint hypermobility as the major diagnostic criterion. Joint hypermobility in hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is often associated with pain that does not always allow the use of effective pain-reducing treatments. Patients with hEDS constantly describe their pain in detail. Eighty-nine patients with hEDS diagnoses were recruited and evaluated. They were asked to describe their pain in writing. The texts were examined through Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count. Correlational analyses were conducted between pain perception and language. A comparison of high/low pain perception and the quality of metaphors was carried out. The results showed that language quality varies depending on how much pain is perceived. The greater the pain is perceived, the lesser the positive effects and the greater the negative effects and dehumanizing metaphors are being used. Moreover, a greater pain seems to be related to a verbal experience of greater isolation and less self-care. In conclusion, the use of metaphors is a useful tool for examining illness experience and may help clinicians in the rehabilitation program. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Study of Mechanisms Underlying Touch and Pain)
12 pages, 1225 KiB  
Communication
Ehrlich Tumor Induces TRPV1-Dependent Evoked and Non-Evoked Pain-like Behavior in Mice
by Mariana M. Bertozzi, Telma Saraiva-Santos, Tiago H. Zaninelli, Felipe A. Pinho-Ribeiro, Victor Fattori, Larissa Staurengo-Ferrari, Camila R. Ferraz, Talita P. Domiciano, Cassia Calixto-Campos, Sergio M. Borghi, Ana C. Zarpelon, Thiago M. Cunha, Rubia Casagrande and Waldiceu A. Verri
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(9), 1247; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12091247 - 15 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2498
Abstract
We standardized a model by injecting Ehrlich tumor cells into the paw to evaluate cancer pain mechanisms and pharmacological treatments. Opioid treatment, but not cyclooxygenase inhibitor or tricyclic antidepressant treatments reduces Ehrlich tumor pain. To best use this model for drug screening it [...] Read more.
We standardized a model by injecting Ehrlich tumor cells into the paw to evaluate cancer pain mechanisms and pharmacological treatments. Opioid treatment, but not cyclooxygenase inhibitor or tricyclic antidepressant treatments reduces Ehrlich tumor pain. To best use this model for drug screening it is essential to understand its pathophysiological mechanisms. Herein, we investigated the contribution of the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) in the Ehrlich tumor-induced pain model. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons from the Ehrlich tumor mice presented higher activity (calcium levels using fluo-4 fluorescent probe) and an increased response to capsaicin (TRPV1 agonist) than the saline-injected animals (p < 0.05). We also observed diminished mechanical (electronic von Frey) and thermal (hot plate) hyperalgesia, paw flinching, and normalization of weight distribution imbalance in TRPV1 deficient mice (p < 0.05). On the other hand, TRPV1 deficiency did not alter paw volume or weight, indicating no significant alteration in tumor growth. Intrathecal injection of AMG9810 (TRPV1 antagonist) reduced ongoing Ehrlich tumor-triggered mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia (p < 0.05). Therefore, the contribution of TRPV1 to Ehrlich tumor pain behavior was revealed by genetic and pharmacological approaches, thus, supporting the use of this model to investigate TRPV1-targeting therapies for the treatment of cancer pain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Study of Mechanisms Underlying Touch and Pain)
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Review

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22 pages, 1315 KiB  
Review
Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping Review
by Mar Flores-Cortes, Javier Guerra-Armas, Consolacion Pineda-Galan, Roy La Touche and Alejandro Luque-Suarez
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(10), 1461; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13101461 - 16 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2408
Abstract
Introduction: Decision making and action execution both rely on sensory information, and their primary objective is to minimise uncertainty. Virtual reality (VR) introduces uncertainty due to the imprecision of perceptual information. The concept of “sensorimotor uncertainty” is a pivotal element in the interplay [...] Read more.
Introduction: Decision making and action execution both rely on sensory information, and their primary objective is to minimise uncertainty. Virtual reality (VR) introduces uncertainty due to the imprecision of perceptual information. The concept of “sensorimotor uncertainty” is a pivotal element in the interplay between perception and action within the VR environment. The role of immersive VR in the four stages of motor behaviour decision making in people with pain has been previously discussed. These four processing levels are the basis to understand the uncertainty that a patient experiences when using VR: sensory information, current state, transition rules, and the outcome obtained. Methods: This review examines the different types of uncertainty that a patient may experience when they are immersed in a virtual reality environment in a context of pain. Randomised clinical trials, a secondary analysis of randomised clinical trials, and pilot randomised clinical trials related to the scope of Sensorimotor Uncertainty in Immersive Virtual Reality were included after searching. Results: Fifty studies were included in this review. They were divided into four categories regarding the type of uncertainty the intervention created and the stage of the decision-making model. Conclusions: Immersive virtual reality makes it possible to alter sensorimotor uncertainty, but studies of higher methodological quality are needed on this topic, as well as an exploration into the patient profile for pain management using immersive VR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Study of Mechanisms Underlying Touch and Pain)
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21 pages, 1028 KiB  
Review
Role of Immersive Virtual Reality in Motor Behaviour Decision-Making in Chronic Pain Patients
by Javier Guerra-Armas, Mar Flores-Cortes, Consolacion Pineda-Galan, Alejandro Luque-Suarez and Roy La Touche
Brain Sci. 2023, 13(4), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13040617 - 5 Apr 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3966
Abstract
Primary chronic pain is a major contributor to disability worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of 20–33% of the world’s population. The high socio-economic impact of musculoskeletal pain justifies seeking an appropriate therapeutic strategy. Immersive virtual reality (VR) has been proposed as a first-line [...] Read more.
Primary chronic pain is a major contributor to disability worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of 20–33% of the world’s population. The high socio-economic impact of musculoskeletal pain justifies seeking an appropriate therapeutic strategy. Immersive virtual reality (VR) has been proposed as a first-line intervention for chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, the growing literature has not been accompanied by substantial progress in understanding how VR exerts its impact on the pain experience and what neurophysiological mechanisms might be involved in the clinical effectiveness of virtual reality interventions in chronic pain patients. The aim of this review is: (i) to establish the state of the art on the effects of VR on patients with chronic pain; (ii) to identify neuroplastic changes associated with chronic pain that may be targeted by VR intervention; and (iii) to propose a hypothesis on how immersive virtual reality could modify motor behavioral decision-making through an interactive experience in patients with chronic pain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Study of Mechanisms Underlying Touch and Pain)
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