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Open Access 01-12-2007 | Review

Neuroimaging revolutionizes therapeutic approaches to chronic pain

Authors: David Borsook, Eric A Moulton, Karl F Schmidt, Lino R Becerra

Published in: Molecular Pain | Issue 1/2007

Abstract

An understanding of how the brain changes in chronic pain or responds to pharmacological or other therapeutic interventions has been significantly changed as a result of developments in neuroimaging of the CNS. These developments have occurred in 3 domains : (1) Anatomical Imaging which has demonstrated changes in brain volume in chronic pain; (2) Functional Imaging (fMRI) that has demonstrated an altered state in the brain in chronic pain conditions including back pain, neuropathic pain, and complex regional pain syndromes. In addition the response of the brain to drugs has provided new insights into how these may modify normal and abnormal circuits (phMRI or pharmacological MRI); (3) Chemical Imaging (Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy or MRS) has helped our understanding of measures of chemical changes in chronic pain. Taken together these three domains have already changed the way in which we think of pain – it should now be considered an altered brain state in which there may be altered functional connections or systems and a state that has components of degenerative aspects of the CNS.

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Title: Neuroimaging revolutionizes therapeutic approaches to chronic pain
Authors: David Borsook
Eric A Moulton
Karl F Schmidt
Lino R Becerra
Publication date: 01-12-2007
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Molecular Pain / Issue 1/2007
Electronic ISSN: 1744-8069
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-8069-3-25

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Neuroimaging revolutionizes therapeutic approaches to chronic pain

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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