Pain is closely linked to alpha oscillations (8 < 13 Hz) which are thought to represent a supra-modal, top-down mediated gating mechanism that shapes sensory processing. Consequently, alpha oscillations might also shape the cerebral processing of nociceptive input and eventually the perception of pain. To test this mechanistic hypothesis, we designed a sham-controlled and double-blind electroencephalography (EEG)-based neurofeedback study. In a short-term neurofeedback training protocol, healthy participants learned to up- and down-regulate somatosensory alpha oscillations using attention. Subsequently, we investigated how this manipulation impacts experimental pain applied during neurofeedback. Using Bayesian statistics and mediation analysis, we aimed to test whether alpha oscillations mediate attention effects on pain perception. The results showed that attention and neurofeedback successfully up- and down-regulated the asymmetry of somatosensory alpha oscillations. However, attention and neurofeedback did not modulate pain ratings or related brain responses. Accordingly, somatosensory alpha oscillations did not mediate attention effects on pain perception. Thus, our results challenge the hypothesis that somatosensory alpha oscillations shape pain perception. A causal relationship between alpha oscillations and pain perception might not exist or be more complex than hypothesized. Trial registration: Following Stage 1 acceptance, the study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05570695.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002972 | DOI Listing |
PLoS Biol
January 2025
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.
Pain is closely linked to alpha oscillations (8 < 13 Hz) which are thought to represent a supra-modal, top-down mediated gating mechanism that shapes sensory processing. Consequently, alpha oscillations might also shape the cerebral processing of nociceptive input and eventually the perception of pain. To test this mechanistic hypothesis, we designed a sham-controlled and double-blind electroencephalography (EEG)-based neurofeedback study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLang Cogn Neurosci
July 2024
Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA.
The engagement of predictive mechanisms during language comprehension can facilitate processing and modulate neural oscillatory activity. These modulations include alpha-band activity decreases prior to expected words, reflecting anticipatory preparation, and frontal theta-band activity following unexpected words, reflecting engagement of cognitive control. It remains unknown how these oscillatory dynamics are impacted by aging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Psychol
January 2025
Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRPN, Marseille, France.
FEMS Microbiol Ecol
January 2025
School of Science, Engineering and Environment, Salford University, Manchester, UK.
Diurnal rhythms of the gut microbiota are emerging as an important yet often overlooked facet of microbial ecology. Feeding is thought to stimulate gut microbial rhythmicity, but this has not been explicitly tested. Moreover, the role of the gut environment is entirely unexplored, with rhythmic changes to gut pH rather than feeding per se possibly affecting gut microbial fluctuations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Microbiol
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Background: Depression is a common mental disorder accompanied by gut microbiota dysbiosis, which disturbs the metabolism of the host. While diurnal oscillation of the intestinal microbiota is involved in regulating host metabolism, the characteristics of the intestinal microbial circadian rhythm in depression remain unknown. Our aim was to investigate the microbial circadian oscillation signature and related metabolic pathways in a mouse model with depression-like behaviours.
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