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Open Access 01-04-2011 | Original

Modulation of pain perception by transcranial magnetic stimulation of left prefrontal cortex

Authors: Filippo Brighina, Marina De Tommaso, Francesca Giglia, Simona Scalia, Giuseppe Cosentino, Angela Puma, Maristella Panetta, Giuseppe Giglia, Brigida Fierro

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 2/2011

Abstract

Evidence by functional imaging studies suggests the role of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in the inhibitory control of nociceptive transmission system. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is able to modulate pain response to capsaicin. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of DLPFC activation (through rTMS) on nociceptive control in a model of capsaicin-induced pain. The study was performed on healthy subjects that underwent capsaicin application on right or left hand. Subjects judged the pain induced by capsaicin through a 0–100 VAS scale before and after 5 Hz rTMS over left and right DLPFC at 10 or 20 min after capsaicin application in two separate groups (8 subjects each). Left DLPFC-rTMS delivered either at 10 and 20 min after capsaicin application significantly decreased spontaneous pain in both hands. Right DLPFC rTMS showed no significant effect on pain measures. According to these results, stimulation of left DLPFC seems able to exert a bilateral control on pain system, supporting the critical antinociceptive role of such area. This could open new perspectives to non-invasive brain stimulation protocols of alternative target area for pain treatment.

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Title: Modulation of pain perception by transcranial magnetic stimulation of left prefrontal cortex
Authors: Filippo Brighina
Marina De Tommaso
Francesca Giglia
Simona Scalia
Giuseppe Cosentino
Angela Puma
Maristella Panetta
Giuseppe Giglia
Brigida Fierro
Publication date: 01-04-2011
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10194-011-0322-8

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Modulation of pain perception by transcranial magnetic stimulation of left prefrontal cortex

Abstract

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Abstract

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