Brain Stimulation Differentially Modulates Nociception and Inflammation in Aversive and Non-aversive Behavioral Conditions

Author(s)

Bassi, G. S. ^{[1, 2]} ; Kanashiro, A. ^[3] ; Rodrigues, G. J. ^[3] ; Cunha, F. Q. ^[4] ; Coimbra, N. C. ^{[5, 4]} ; Ulloa, L. ^{[2, 6]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Immunol, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Shanghai Univ Tradit Chinese Med, Yueyang Hosp, Shanghai 200030 - Peoples R China

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Physiol Sci, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Pharmacol, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, NAP USP Neurobiol Emot Res Ctr NuPNE, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Rutgers State Univ, Rutgers New Jersey Med Sch, Ctr Immunol & Inflammat, Dept Surg, Newark, NJ 07103 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Neuroscience; v. 383, p. 191-204, JUL 15 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Inflammation and pain are major clinical burdens contributing to multiple disorders and limiting the quality of life of patients. We previously reported that brain electrical stimulation can attenuate joint inflammation in experimental arthritis. Here, we report that non-aversive electrical stimulation of the locus coeruleus (LC), the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) or the ventrolateral column of the periaqueductal gray matter (vIPAG) decreases thermal pain sensitivity, knee inflammation and synovial neutrophilic infiltration in rats with intraarticular zymosan. We also analyzed the modulation of pain and inflammation during aversive neuronal stimulation, which produces defensive behavioral responses such as freezing immobility to avoid predator detection. Electrical stimulation with higher intensity to induce freezing immobility in rats further reduces pain but not inflammation. However, tonic immobility further reduces pain, knee inflammation and synovial neutrophilic infiltration in guinea pigs. The duration of the tonic immobility increases the control of pain and inflammation. These results reveal survival behavioral and neuromodulatory mechanisms conserved in different species to control pain and inflammation in aversive life-threatening conditions. Our results also suggest that activation of the LC, PVN, or vIPAG by non-invasive methods, such as physical exercise, meditation, psychological interventions or placebo treatments may reduce pain and joint inflammation in arthritis without inducing motor or behavioral alterations. (C) 2018 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/08216-2 - CRID - Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases
• Grantee: Fernando de Queiroz Cunha
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 12/04237-2 - Antiinflammatory Cholinergic Pathway: The role of neuroimmunomodulation in the control of inflammatory response.
• Grantee: Alexandre Kanashiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 13/20549-7 - New insights in cardiovascular regulation under physiological and pathophysiological condition
• Grantee: Helio Cesar Salgado
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/20343-4 - Antiinflammatory cholinergic pathway: the role of neuroimmunomodulation in the control of inflammatory response
• Grantee: Alexandre Kanashiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants