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AHS 2022 | Neuronal complexity in migraine and peripheral pain models

Amynah Pradhan, PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, discusses the rationale behind researching neuronal complexity in migraine and peripheral pain models. Following the idea that cells in the brain are not static but very responsive to environmental stimuli, the studies conducted by Dr Pradhan investigated if chronic migraines could alter this natural state. In a mouse model of chronic migraine utilizing nitroglycerine, decreased neuronal complexity was observed in regions such as the trigeminal nucleus caudalis, periaqueductal gray, and somatosensory cortex. However, further work also demonstrated increased neuronal complexity in the thalamus – indicating a disbalance between brain regions. Similar results were found in another mechanistically distinct model investigating cortical spreading depression. Concerning how cortical spreading depression is evoked in the cortex, there is often debate about how this may activate pain networks in other brain parts. Furthermore, the studies were compared to a complex regional pain syndrome model demonstrating chronicity of pain and neuronal complexity. This interview took place during the 2022 American Headache Society (AHS) Meeting in Denver, CO.