Elsevier

Neuroscience Letters

Volume 314, Issues 1–2, 13 November 2001, Pages 97-101
Neuroscience Letters

Transient inhibition of the human motor cortex by capsaicin-induced pain. A study with transcranial magnetic stimulation

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3940(01)02297-2Get rights and content

Abstract

Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the left motor cortex were recorded from the right first dorsal interosseous (FDI), abductor pollicis brevis (APB), abductor digiti minimi (ADM), flexor carpi radialis (FCR), extensor carpi radialis (ECR) in 17 normal subjects, before and after painful application of capsaicin on the skin overlying the right FDI and FCR muscles. The amplitude of MEPs from the FDI and FCR was significantly reduced from 20 to 30 min after the application of capsaicin over the FDI and FCR muscles, respectively, then progressively returned to the basal values. A similar trend of MEPs inhibition was observed for APB and FCR muscles, but this reduction was not significant. Indices of peripheral nerve (M-wave) and spinal cord excitability (F and H waves) did not change throughout the experiments. Motor cortex inhibition induced by tonic cutaneous pain is maximal to muscles adjacent to the painful area. This inhibition may be due to the activation of the C fibres which mediate ‘slow’ nociception and might be important to alert subject to possible phasic nociceptive events that may occur close to the painful area.

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    Importantly, in Experiment 2 the RTs were not related to the accuracy levels, ruling out a speed-accuracy trade off. There is compelling evidence that the observation of others experiencing pain decreases the amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) (Avenanti et al., 2006, 2005; Avenanti, Minio-Paluello, Sforza, & Aglioti, 2009; Avenanti & Aglioti, 2006; Bucchioni et al., 2016; Bufalari et al., 2007), similarly to when pain is actually experienced (Farina et al., 2001; Fossataro et al., 2020, 2018; Le Pera et al., 2001). Additionally, several studies employing neuroimaging techniques confirmed the presence of motor system inhibition both while observing pain inflicted to others (Valeriani et al., 2008) and while experiencing it directly (Burns, Chipchase, & Schabrun, 2016; Farina et al., 2003; Hodges, Coppieters, MacDonald, & Cholewicki, 2013; Hodges & Tucker, 2011).

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