Exploring the Relationship Between Brain Neurochemistry, Cervical Impairments and Pain Sensitivity in People with Migraine, Whiplash-Headache, Low Back Pain and Healthy Controls: A Secondary Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and glutamate are the main inhibitory and excitatory neurochemicals of the central nervous system. Recently, increased GABA+ (GABA+ macromolecules) and Glx (glutamate and glutamine) levels have been reported in migraine. Conversely, decreased GABA+ and Glx levels have been reported in conditions such as chronic musculoskeletal pain and other chronic widespread pain conditions. This has led to the hypothesis that unique neurochemical profiles may underpin different headache and pain conditions. What is currently unknown is how neurochemical levels correlate with different clinical presentations of local and widespread pain sensitivity. The aims of this study were therefore to (i) explore the relationship between brain neurochemicals and clinical presentations of different headache and pain conditions and (ii) use a novel approach to explore how participants cluster based on their neurochemical profiles and explore the clinical characteristics of the participants in these neurochemical clusters. Methods: In this exploratory secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study, participants with migraine (n = 20), whiplash-headache (n = 20), and low back pain (n = 20), and healthy controls (n = 21) completed pain, disability and psychological distress questionnaires, received Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MEGAPRESS), and underwent cervical musculoskeletal and quantitative sensory testing. Participants were classified based on…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a secondary / pooled analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 21 participants or records.
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