Stimulus-independent and stimulus-dependent neural networks underpin placebo analgesia responsiveness in humans

L. S. Crawford, N. Meylakh, P. M. Macey, Vaughan G. Macefield, K. A. Keay, L. A. Henderson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The neural circuits that regulate placebo analgesia responsivity are unknown, although engagement of brainstem pain modulatory regions is likely critical. Here we show in 47 participants that differences are present in neural circuit connectivity’s in placebo responders versus non-responders. We distinguish stimulus-independent and stimulus-dependent neural networks that display altered connections between the hypothalamus, anterior cingulate cortex and midbrain periaqueductal gray matter. This dual regulatory system underpins an individual’s ability to mount placebo analgesia.
Original languageEnglish
Article number569
Number of pages11
JournalCommunications Biology
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2023

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This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder.

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