Altered neural oscillation patterns and functional connectivity in postherpetic neuralgia: evidence from resting-state EEG
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a debilitating chronic pain condition that significantly affects the quality of life, often leading to physical discomfort, emotional distress, and psychological comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety. This study aimed to systematically assess the neural oscill...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pain Research |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1603345/full |
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| author | Fei Gao Mengru Wang Huibin Jia Georgi V. Georgiev Yi Feng Wenxia Li |
| author_facet | Fei Gao Mengru Wang Huibin Jia Georgi V. Georgiev Yi Feng Wenxia Li |
| author_sort | Fei Gao |
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| description | Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a debilitating chronic pain condition that significantly affects the quality of life, often leading to physical discomfort, emotional distress, and psychological comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety. This study aimed to systematically assess the neural oscillatory activity and functional connectivity patterns in patients with PHN using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG). Overall, 21 patients with PHN and 17 healthy controls participated in this study. Resting-state EEG data were collected and analyzed. Power spectrum density analysis was conducted to compare frequency band activity, and correlation analyses were used to examine associations between EEG power and psychological symptoms. Functional connectivity was assessed using the weighted phase lag index. Power spectrum density analysis revealed significantly higher EEG power across the delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands in patients with PHN compared with controls. Correlation analyses indicated that delta and theta frequency band power were positively associated with the Beck Depression Inventory scores, whereas delta frequency band power was negatively correlated with the State Anxiety Inventory scores. Additionally, functional connectivity analysis demonstrated reduced gamma-band connectivity in patients with PHN, particularly in regions of the sensorimotor and pain modulation networks. These findings suggest that PHN is characterized by widespread hyperactivity in neural circuits, accompanied by disrupted interregional communication. These results provide valuable insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying PHN and highlight potential biomarkers for developing targeted neuromodulatory treatments to alleviate pain and improve the psychological well-being of affected individuals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4156486cb3024a25abe09cb2e592acb0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-561X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Pain Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-4156486cb3024a25abe09cb2e592acb02025-08-20T03:56:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pain Research2673-561X2025-07-01610.3389/fpain.2025.16033451603345Altered neural oscillation patterns and functional connectivity in postherpetic neuralgia: evidence from resting-state EEGFei Gao0Mengru Wang1Huibin Jia2Georgi V. Georgiev3Yi Feng4Wenxia Li5Department of Pain Medicine, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, ChinaCenter for Ubiquitous Computing, University of Oulu, Oulu, FinlandSchool of Psychology, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, ChinaCenter for Ubiquitous Computing, University of Oulu, Oulu, FinlandDepartment of Pain Medicine, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaPostherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a debilitating chronic pain condition that significantly affects the quality of life, often leading to physical discomfort, emotional distress, and psychological comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety. This study aimed to systematically assess the neural oscillatory activity and functional connectivity patterns in patients with PHN using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG). Overall, 21 patients with PHN and 17 healthy controls participated in this study. Resting-state EEG data were collected and analyzed. Power spectrum density analysis was conducted to compare frequency band activity, and correlation analyses were used to examine associations between EEG power and psychological symptoms. Functional connectivity was assessed using the weighted phase lag index. Power spectrum density analysis revealed significantly higher EEG power across the delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands in patients with PHN compared with controls. Correlation analyses indicated that delta and theta frequency band power were positively associated with the Beck Depression Inventory scores, whereas delta frequency band power was negatively correlated with the State Anxiety Inventory scores. Additionally, functional connectivity analysis demonstrated reduced gamma-band connectivity in patients with PHN, particularly in regions of the sensorimotor and pain modulation networks. These findings suggest that PHN is characterized by widespread hyperactivity in neural circuits, accompanied by disrupted interregional communication. These results provide valuable insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying PHN and highlight potential biomarkers for developing targeted neuromodulatory treatments to alleviate pain and improve the psychological well-being of affected individuals.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1603345/fullpostherpetic neuralgiaelectroencephalographypower spectrum densityfunctional connectivityneural oscillations |
| spellingShingle | Fei Gao Mengru Wang Huibin Jia Georgi V. Georgiev Yi Feng Wenxia Li Altered neural oscillation patterns and functional connectivity in postherpetic neuralgia: evidence from resting-state EEG Frontiers in Pain Research postherpetic neuralgia electroencephalography power spectrum density functional connectivity neural oscillations |
| title | Altered neural oscillation patterns and functional connectivity in postherpetic neuralgia: evidence from resting-state EEG |
| title_full | Altered neural oscillation patterns and functional connectivity in postherpetic neuralgia: evidence from resting-state EEG |
| title_fullStr | Altered neural oscillation patterns and functional connectivity in postherpetic neuralgia: evidence from resting-state EEG |
| title_full_unstemmed | Altered neural oscillation patterns and functional connectivity in postherpetic neuralgia: evidence from resting-state EEG |
| title_short | Altered neural oscillation patterns and functional connectivity in postherpetic neuralgia: evidence from resting-state EEG |
| title_sort | altered neural oscillation patterns and functional connectivity in postherpetic neuralgia evidence from resting state eeg |
| topic | postherpetic neuralgia electroencephalography power spectrum density functional connectivity neural oscillations |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1603345/full |
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