Chronic back pain causes brain shrinkage

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    Brain Pain
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between chronic back pain and brain shrinkage, exploring potential mechanisms behind this phenomenon. Participants examine theoretical explanations and hypotheses related to the effects of chronic pain on brain structure.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference a study suggesting that chronic pain may lead to decreased gray matter due to mechanisms like excitotoxicity and inflammation.
  • One participant expresses confusion regarding the term "overuse atrophy," questioning whether it implies that certain brain regions are overused due to chronic pain.
  • Another participant elaborates on the idea that chronic stimulation of specific brain areas by pain could lead to excitotoxin production, resulting in an inflammatory response and subsequent loss of brain cells.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the mechanisms involved in brain shrinkage related to chronic pain, with some expressing confusion and seeking clarification on specific terms and concepts.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of detailed explanations for the proposed mechanisms and the need for further clarification on terms like "overuse atrophy" and "excitotoxicity." The discussion does not resolve these ambiguities.

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I didn't catch a mechanism of why that might happen.
 
Mk said:
I didn't catch a mechanism of why that might happen.
Here is one hypothesis that was stated:
“Given that, by definition, chronic pain is a state of continuous persistent perception with associated negative affect and stress, one mechanistic explanation for the decreased gray matter is overuse atrophy caused by excitotoxic and inflammatory mechanisms,” Apkarian said."
 
I have no idea what that red part means. He's saying parts of the guys' brains were overused?
 
Mk said:
I have no idea what that red part means. He's saying parts of the guys' brains were overused?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_atrophy"
http://www.biochem.northwestern.edu/holmgren/Glossary/Definitions/Def-E/excitotoxins.html"

Parts of the brain were chronically stimulated by the pain. This caused the production of the excitotoxins -----> inflammatory response-----> loss of brain cells.
 
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