Cerebral Blood Flow Dynamics During Pain Processing Investigated by Functional Transcranial Doppler Sonography

摘要: Objective.  Functional transcranial Doppler sonography (fTCD) enables reliable quantification of cerebral blood flow modulation during neural activation processes. Its high-time resolution, relatively simple technical arrangement, and low costs could make fTCD a useful tool in the investigation brain activity underlying pain experience fundamental clinical research. The present pilot study explored suitability this technique to investigate hemodynamics processing experimental heat pain. Design.  In 46 healthy subjects, velocities anterior arteries (ACA) middle (MCA) both hemispheres were recorded, while stimuli 45 47°C applied their left forearms (stimulus duration 20 seconds). Subjective sensory affective intensities assessed using visual analog scales. Results.  A biphasic right dominant increase arose ACA MCA with maxima around 5 15 seconds after stimulus onset. response was stronger under stimulation respect 45°C, magnitude late component correlated positively intensity 45°C condition. Conclusions.  findings suggest that measurements prove sensitive different levels physical painful interindividual differences nociceptive responding. may be valuable research, for instance, when it comes quantifying temporal dynamics exaggerated responses chronic pain, or evaluating treatment effects on processing.