MDMA (ecstasy) use is associated with reduced BOLD signal change during semantic recognition in abstinent human polydrug users: a preliminary fMRI study

Objective The objectives of this article are to compare interictal and ictal visual sensitivity between migraine and controls using two published questionnaires, and to correlate responses with a physiologic measure of visual cortex activation. Methods Migraine with (MWA, n = 51) and without (MwoA, n = 45) aura and control individuals ( n = 45) were enrolled and underwent BOLD fMRI with a visual stimulus. The visual discomfort score (VDS) assessed interictal and the migraine photophobia score (MPS) assessed ictal visual sensitivity. Result VDS was significantly higher both in MWA and MwoA vs controls (both p < 0.0001). MPS was greater in MWA vs MwoA ( p = 0.008). Ictal and interictal visual sensitivity strongly correlated in MWA ( p = 0.004) but not MwoA patients ( p = 0.12). BOLD activation in visual cortex was greater in MWA vs controls (2.7% vs 2.3%, p = 0.003) but similar between MwoA and controls. Increasing VDS was associated with greater BOLD signal change in MWA ( p = 0.03) but not MwoA ( p = 0.65) or controls ( p = 0.53). MPS did not correlate with BOLD activation in either group. Conclusion Increased interictal visual sensitivity is present both in MWA and MwoA. However, the correlation with ictal visual sensitivity and with cortical hyper-responsivity varies between MWA and MwoA, suggesting underlying differences between groups.

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Functional magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of lumbosacral radiculopathic pain

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2016.3.spine151230 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 517-522

Author(s):

Alex J. Koefman ◽

Melissa Licari ◽

Michael Bynevelt ◽

Christopher R. P. Lind

Keyword(s):

Objective Assessment ◽

Blood Oxygen Level Dependent ◽

Bold Signal ◽

Blood Oxygen Level ◽

Imaging Evaluation ◽

Pain Experience ◽

Lumbosacral Radiculopathy ◽

Signal Change ◽

Left Parietal Cortex ◽

Straight Leg Raise

OBJECTIVE An objective biomarker for pain is yet to be established. Functional MRI (fMRI) is a promising neuroimaging technique that may reveal an objective radiological biomarker. The purpose of this study was to evaluate fMRI technology in the setting of lumbosacral radiculopathy and discuss its application in revealing a biomarker for pain in the future. METHODS A prospective, within-participant control study was conducted. Twenty participants with painful lumbosacral radiculopathy from intervertebral disc pathology were recruited. Functional imaging of the brain was performed during a randomly generated series of nonprovocative and provocative straight leg raise maneuvers. RESULTS With a statistical threshold set at p < 0.000001, 3 areas showed significant blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) signal change: right superior frontal gyrus (x = 2, y = 13, z = 48, k = 29, Brodmann area 6 [BA6]), left supramarginal cortex (x = −37, y = −44, z = 33, k = 1084, BA40), and left parietal cortex (x = −19, y = −41, z = 63, k = 354, BA5). With a statistical threshold set at p < 0.0002, 2 structures showed significant BOLD signal change: right putamen (x = 29, y = −11, z = 6, k = 72) and bilateral thalami (right: x = 23, y = −11, z = 21, k = 29; x = 8, y = −11, z = 9, k = 274; and left: x = −28, y = −32, z = 6, k = 21). CONCLUSIONS The results in this study compare with those in previous studies and suggest that fMRI technology can provide an objective assessment of the pain experience.

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