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Altered resting state EEG in chronic pancreatitis patients: toward a marker for chronic pain

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Check out this Knowledge Base article from StressTherapy Solutions: Altered resting state EEG in chronic pancreatitis patients: toward a marker for chronic pain.

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Study at a glance

Area
Pain & Headache
Study type
Controlled study
Authors
De Vries M, Wilder-Smith O, Jongsma M, Van den Broeke E, Arns M, Van Goor H, Van Rijn C
Journal
Journal of Pain Research
Year
2013
Participants
16 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 16 matched healthy controls
Protocol
resting EEG, peak alpha frequency (7.5-13 Hz)

Key findings

  • Average peak alpha frequency was lower in patients than controls (9.5 vs 9.9 Hz; P=0.049)
  • The difference was most evident in parietal and occipital regions (exploratory analysis)
  • Longer pain duration correlated with a larger shift toward lower peak alpha frequency
  • No significant group differences in peak alpha power amplitude

DOI 10.2147/jpr.s50919 → PubMed 24379694 →

Researchers compared resting EEG from 16 patients with ongoing abdominal pain from chronic pancreatitis against healthy controls matched for age, sex and education, looking for a brain-based marker of chronic pain. Patients showed a slower peak alpha frequency, especially over parietal and occipital areas, and the slowing grew with longer pain duration, while alpha power did not differ. The authors conclude that peak alpha frequency could become a practical biomarker for diagnosing chronic pain and tracking treatment.