PURPOSE: To examine the characteristics of the spinal cord and brainstem blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses to peripheral stimulation in which the temperature is raised in a stepwise fashion, in order to enhance receptor responses, compared to a block design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of the spinal cord and brainstem were carried out in 14 healthy volunteers at 3T. Thermal sensory stimuli were applied to the right hand in a block-design paradigm, and in a stepwise paradigm to the same peak temperature. Data were analyzed by means of a general linear model, region of interest analyses, and by structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Results demonstrated BOLD responses in a number of consistent regions between the two paradigms as well as significant differences (P < .001) in the locations and magnitudes of some responses. Specifically, the BOLD response in the dorsal horn was significantly higher in the stepwise compared to the block condition (P < .001). However, more significant connections (T >2) between regions were observed in the block condition. CONCLUSION: Results from this study demonstrate the means to design thermal sensory paradigms to probe components of sensory processing in the brainstem and spinal cord.
PURPOSE: To examine the characteristics of the spinal cord and brainstem blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) responses to peripheral stimulation in which the temperature is raised in a stepwise fashion, in order to enhance receptor responses, compared to a block design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of the spinal cord and brainstem were carried out in 14 healthy volunteers at 3T. Thermal sensory stimuli were applied to the right hand in a block-design paradigm, and in a stepwise paradigm to the same peak temperature. Data were analyzed by means of a general linear model, region of interest analyses, and by structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Results demonstrated BOLD responses in a number of consistent regions between the two paradigms as well as significant differences (P < .001) in the locations and magnitudes of some responses. Specifically, the BOLD response in the dorsal horn was significantly higher in the stepwise compared to the block condition (P < .001). However, more significant connections (T >2) between regions were observed in the block condition. CONCLUSION: Results from this study demonstrate the means to design thermal sensory paradigms to probe components of sensory processing in the brainstem and spinal cord.
Authors: Rachael L Bosma; Elham Ameli Mojarad; Lawrence Leung; Caroline Pukall; Roland Staud; Patrick W Stroman Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2016-01-09 Impact factor: 5.038
Authors: Rachael L Bosma; Elham Ameli Mojarad; Lawrence Leung; Caroline Pukall; Roland Staud; Patrick W Stroman Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2015-09-14 Impact factor: 5.038
Authors: Patrick W Stroman; Rachael L Bosma; Andreea I Cotoi; Roxanne H Leung; Jennifer Kornelsen; Jane M Lawrence-Dewar; Caroline F Pukall; Roland Staud Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-12-01 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Hamed Dehghani; Mohammad Ali Oghabian; Seyed Amir Hosein Batouli; Jalil Arab Kheradmand; Ali Khatibi Journal: Basic Clin Neurosci Date: 2020-11-01