Analysis of electroencephalography oscillation characteristics in spinal cord injury patients with neuropathic pain.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the electroencephalography (EEG) features in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) experiencing neuropathic pain (NP) by analyzing the γ (30-80 Hz) frequency band.

METHODS

Participants were divided into three groups: the PWP group (SCI patients with pain), the PNP group (SCI patients without pain) and AB group (able-bodied). Then we recorded and preprocessed the EEG data and calculated the power spectral density (PSD). Then, the amplitude of γ band oscillation (GBO) and the strength of brain network connections among the different groups were compared.

RESULTS

In the PWP group, early GBO was observed in the FPZ channel in the resting state, and the main effect was concentrated in the 55-60 Hz range. In the high-frequency γ band (55-80 Hz) of the FPZ channel, the PWP group showed a higher GBO than the other groups. Moreover, during motor imagination (MI), the PWP group showed significantly stronger functional connectivity than the AB group, but significantly weaker than the PNP group.

CONCLUSION

The GBO related to NP is highly consistent with the frequency domain manifestations of chronic pain. NP causes persistent abnormal increases in the γ-band PSD in multiple brain regions and the GBO changes in the prefrontal cortex have the strongest correlation with NP symptoms.