Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied over the Primary Motor Cortex on the Offset Analgesia Phenomenon
In this study, we investigate the effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied over the left upper limb primary motor cortex (M1) on the offset analgesia (OA) phenomenon, a measure of endogenous pain modulation. In particular, we aim to determine whether rTMS...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Life |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/182 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850082045845307392 |
|---|---|
| author | Elisa Antoniazzi Camilla Cavigioli Vanessa Tang Clara Zoccola Massimiliano Todisco Cristina Tassorelli Giuseppe Cosentino |
| author_facet | Elisa Antoniazzi Camilla Cavigioli Vanessa Tang Clara Zoccola Massimiliano Todisco Cristina Tassorelli Giuseppe Cosentino |
| author_sort | Elisa Antoniazzi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, we investigate the effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied over the left upper limb primary motor cortex (M1) on the offset analgesia (OA) phenomenon, a measure of endogenous pain modulation. In particular, we aim to determine whether rTMS influences OA differently in the forearm region, corresponding to the stimulated cortical area, compared to the trigeminal region. Twenty-two healthy volunteers underwent three experimental sessions: a baseline session without stimulation, an active rTMS session, and a sham rTMS session. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) paradigms, including warm and cold detection thresholds, heat pain threshold corresponding to a visual analogue scale (VAS) score of approximately 50–60 out of 100 (Pain<sub>50–60</sub>), and constant and offset trials, were assessed in both the forearm and trigeminal regions. The results revealed that active rTMS significantly enhanced the OA phenomenon in the forearm during the late phase, while no significant effects were observed in the trigeminal region. These findings suggest that rTMS may modulate central pain mechanisms in a body region-specific manner, potentially linked to the somatotopic organization of M1. This study points to possible mechanisms of action of rTMS for pain relief, highlighting the importance of region-specific effects in chronic pain treatment. Further research is needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms and clinical applicability of rTMS in patients with chronic pain conditions, especially when OA is compromised. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d610d8d6377d4effb2d3e87d3de51a39 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj-art-d610d8d6377d4effb2d3e87d3de51a392025-08-20T02:44:35ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-01-0115218210.3390/life15020182Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied over the Primary Motor Cortex on the Offset Analgesia PhenomenonElisa Antoniazzi0Camilla Cavigioli1Vanessa Tang2Clara Zoccola3Massimiliano Todisco4Cristina Tassorelli5Giuseppe Cosentino6Translational Neurophysiology Research Section, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, ItalyTranslational Neurophysiology Research Section, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, ItalyTranslational Neurophysiology Research Section, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, ItalyTranslational Neurophysiology Research Section, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, ItalyTranslational Neurophysiology Research Section, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, ItalyTranslational Neurophysiology Research Section, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, ItalyIn this study, we investigate the effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied over the left upper limb primary motor cortex (M1) on the offset analgesia (OA) phenomenon, a measure of endogenous pain modulation. In particular, we aim to determine whether rTMS influences OA differently in the forearm region, corresponding to the stimulated cortical area, compared to the trigeminal region. Twenty-two healthy volunteers underwent three experimental sessions: a baseline session without stimulation, an active rTMS session, and a sham rTMS session. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) paradigms, including warm and cold detection thresholds, heat pain threshold corresponding to a visual analogue scale (VAS) score of approximately 50–60 out of 100 (Pain<sub>50–60</sub>), and constant and offset trials, were assessed in both the forearm and trigeminal regions. The results revealed that active rTMS significantly enhanced the OA phenomenon in the forearm during the late phase, while no significant effects were observed in the trigeminal region. These findings suggest that rTMS may modulate central pain mechanisms in a body region-specific manner, potentially linked to the somatotopic organization of M1. This study points to possible mechanisms of action of rTMS for pain relief, highlighting the importance of region-specific effects in chronic pain treatment. Further research is needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms and clinical applicability of rTMS in patients with chronic pain conditions, especially when OA is compromised.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/182repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)offset analgesia (OA)primary motor cortex (M1)endogenous pain modulationquantitative sensory testing (QST)somatotopic organization |
| spellingShingle | Elisa Antoniazzi Camilla Cavigioli Vanessa Tang Clara Zoccola Massimiliano Todisco Cristina Tassorelli Giuseppe Cosentino Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied over the Primary Motor Cortex on the Offset Analgesia Phenomenon Life repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) offset analgesia (OA) primary motor cortex (M1) endogenous pain modulation quantitative sensory testing (QST) somatotopic organization |
| title | Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied over the Primary Motor Cortex on the Offset Analgesia Phenomenon |
| title_full | Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied over the Primary Motor Cortex on the Offset Analgesia Phenomenon |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied over the Primary Motor Cortex on the Offset Analgesia Phenomenon |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied over the Primary Motor Cortex on the Offset Analgesia Phenomenon |
| title_short | Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Applied over the Primary Motor Cortex on the Offset Analgesia Phenomenon |
| title_sort | effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex on the offset analgesia phenomenon |
| topic | repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) offset analgesia (OA) primary motor cortex (M1) endogenous pain modulation quantitative sensory testing (QST) somatotopic organization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/2/182 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT elisaantoniazzi effectsofrepetitivetranscranialmagneticstimulationappliedovertheprimarymotorcortexontheoffsetanalgesiaphenomenon AT camillacavigioli effectsofrepetitivetranscranialmagneticstimulationappliedovertheprimarymotorcortexontheoffsetanalgesiaphenomenon AT vanessatang effectsofrepetitivetranscranialmagneticstimulationappliedovertheprimarymotorcortexontheoffsetanalgesiaphenomenon AT clarazoccola effectsofrepetitivetranscranialmagneticstimulationappliedovertheprimarymotorcortexontheoffsetanalgesiaphenomenon AT massimilianotodisco effectsofrepetitivetranscranialmagneticstimulationappliedovertheprimarymotorcortexontheoffsetanalgesiaphenomenon AT cristinatassorelli effectsofrepetitivetranscranialmagneticstimulationappliedovertheprimarymotorcortexontheoffsetanalgesiaphenomenon AT giuseppecosentino effectsofrepetitivetranscranialmagneticstimulationappliedovertheprimarymotorcortexontheoffsetanalgesiaphenomenon |