Changes in Brain GABA and Glutamate and Improvements in Physical Functioning Following Intensive Pain Rehabilitation in Youth With Chronic Pain.

Mar 27, 2023

Experts: Taylor Pigott,Allison McPeak,Amanda de Chastelain,Marilena M DeMayo,Nivez Rasic,Laura Rayner,Melanie Noel,Jillian Vinall Miller,Ashley D Harris

Intensive interdisciplinary pain treatments (IIPT) have been developed to treat youth with unmanaged chronic pain and functional disability. Dysregulation of metabolites gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate are thought to play a role in the chronification of pain due to imbalances in inhibition and excitation in adults. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), we investigated the effect of IIPT on GABA and Glx (glutamate + glutamine) in 2 pain-related brain regions: the left posterior insula (LPI) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Data were collected in 23 youth (mean age = 16.09 ± 1.40, 19 female) at entry and discharge from a hospital-based outpatient IIPT. GABA and Glx were measured using GABA-edited MEGA-PRESS and analyzed using Gannet. Physical measures including a 6-minute walk test were recorded, and patients completed the PLAYSelf Physical Literacy Questionnaire, PROMIS Pain Interference Questionnaire, and Functional Disability Inventory. LPI GABA (P .05), following IIPT. There were no significant Glx changes (P > .05). The decrease in LPI GABA was associated with increased distance in the 6-minute walk test (P < .001). IIPT may decrease GABAergic inhibitory tone within the LPI, thereby promoting plasticity and contributing to improvements in physical outcomes with IIPT. Perspective: Regional GABA changes are associated with a reduction in pain interference and improvement in physical function in youth following intensive pain rehabilitation. GABA may serve as a possible biomarker for IIPT; and may also further aid in the development of IIPT, and other treatments for chronic pain in youth.
Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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ABOUT THE EXPERTS

Taylor Pigott,Allison McPeak,Amanda de Chastelain,Marilena M DeMayo,Nivez Rasic,Laura Rayner,Melanie Noel,Jillian Vinall Miller,Ashley D Harris

Taylor Pigott

Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Allison McPeak

Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Amanda de Chastelain

Vi Riddell Children’s Pain & Rehabilitation Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Marilena M DeMayo

Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Child Brain & Mental Health Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Brain and Mental Health, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Nivez Rasic

Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Vi Riddell Children’s Pain & Rehabilitation Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Laura Rayner

Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Vi Riddell Children’s Pain & Rehabilitation Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Melanie Noel

Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Vi Riddell Children’s Pain & Rehabilitation Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Child Brain & Mental Health Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Brain and Mental Health, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Jillian Vinall Miller

Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Vi Riddell Children’s Pain & Rehabilitation Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Child Brain & Mental Health Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Brain and Mental Health, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: jillian.miller1@ucalgary.ca.

Ashley D Harris

Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Child Brain & Mental Health Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Owerko Centre, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Brain and Mental Health, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.