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Is blood glucose associated with descending modulation of spinal nociception as measured by the nociceptive flexion reflex?

OBJECTIVES: Prior research has shown a relationship between blood glucose levels and some forms of self-regulation (eg, executive function), with low blood glucose levels associated with impaired self-regulation. Further, engagement in self-regulation tasks depletes blood glucose. Given these relati...

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Autores principales: Terry, Ellen L, Güereca, Yvette M, Martin, Satin L, Rhudy, Jamie L
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Dove Medical Press 2016
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4831597/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27110138
http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S101720
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author Terry, Ellen L
Güereca, Yvette M
Martin, Satin L
Rhudy, Jamie L
author_facet Terry, Ellen L
Güereca, Yvette M
Martin, Satin L
Rhudy, Jamie L
author_sort Terry, Ellen L
collection PubMed
description OBJECTIVES: Prior research has shown a relationship between blood glucose levels and some forms of self-regulation (eg, executive function), with low blood glucose levels associated with impaired self-regulation. Further, engagement in self-regulation tasks depletes blood glucose. Given these relationships, the present study examined whether blood glucose is associated with another form of self-regulation, ie, descending pain modulatory processes. METHODS: Forty-seven (32 female) pain-free participants were recruited and completed testing. Blood glucose was measured from finger sticks and a digital meter before and after experimental pain tests. Pain tests included the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold to assess descending modulation of spinal nociception, but also electric pain threshold to assess perceptual pain detection. The Stroop color word naming test was also assessed before and after pain testing to examine changes in executive function. RESULTS: Results indicated that mean blood glucose levels decreased after pain testing, but Stroop performance did not significantly change. Importantly, changes in blood glucose were correlated with NFR threshold, such that decreases in blood glucose were associated with lower NFR thresholds (reduced descending inhibition). Changes in blood glucose were unrelated to pain threshold or executive function. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that glucose depletion may impair performance of descending inhibitory processes, without impacting the perceptual detection of pain (pain threshold). Although findings need to be replicated, maintaining adequate glucose levels may be necessary to support inhibition of spinal nociception.
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spelling pubmed-48315972016-04-22 Is blood glucose associated with descending modulation of spinal nociception as measured by the nociceptive flexion reflex? Terry, Ellen L Güereca, Yvette M Martin, Satin L Rhudy, Jamie L J Pain Res Original Research OBJECTIVES: Prior research has shown a relationship between blood glucose levels and some forms of self-regulation (eg, executive function), with low blood glucose levels associated with impaired self-regulation. Further, engagement in self-regulation tasks depletes blood glucose. Given these relationships, the present study examined whether blood glucose is associated with another form of self-regulation, ie, descending pain modulatory processes. METHODS: Forty-seven (32 female) pain-free participants were recruited and completed testing. Blood glucose was measured from finger sticks and a digital meter before and after experimental pain tests. Pain tests included the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold to assess descending modulation of spinal nociception, but also electric pain threshold to assess perceptual pain detection. The Stroop color word naming test was also assessed before and after pain testing to examine changes in executive function. RESULTS: Results indicated that mean blood glucose levels decreased after pain testing, but Stroop performance did not significantly change. Importantly, changes in blood glucose were correlated with NFR threshold, such that decreases in blood glucose were associated with lower NFR thresholds (reduced descending inhibition). Changes in blood glucose were unrelated to pain threshold or executive function. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that glucose depletion may impair performance of descending inhibitory processes, without impacting the perceptual detection of pain (pain threshold). Although findings need to be replicated, maintaining adequate glucose levels may be necessary to support inhibition of spinal nociception. Dove Medical Press 2016-04-04 /pmc/articles/PMC4831597/ /pubmed/27110138 http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S101720 Text en © 2016 Terry et al. This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed.
spellingShingle Original Research
Terry, Ellen L
Güereca, Yvette M
Martin, Satin L
Rhudy, Jamie L
Is blood glucose associated with descending modulation of spinal nociception as measured by the nociceptive flexion reflex?
title Is blood glucose associated with descending modulation of spinal nociception as measured by the nociceptive flexion reflex?
title_full Is blood glucose associated with descending modulation of spinal nociception as measured by the nociceptive flexion reflex?
title_fullStr Is blood glucose associated with descending modulation of spinal nociception as measured by the nociceptive flexion reflex?
title_full_unstemmed Is blood glucose associated with descending modulation of spinal nociception as measured by the nociceptive flexion reflex?
title_short Is blood glucose associated with descending modulation of spinal nociception as measured by the nociceptive flexion reflex?
title_sort is blood glucose associated with descending modulation of spinal nociception as measured by the nociceptive flexion reflex?
topic Original Research
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4831597/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27110138
http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S101720
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