Journal of Pain Research最新文献

{"title":"Impact of Carotid Interventions on Headache Relief in Patients with Carotid Stenosis: a Retrospective Analysis of Carotid Endarterectomy Versus Stenting.","authors":"Oguz Arslanturk, Ali Kemal Gur, Fatih Ada, Emrah Keskin","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S511101","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S511101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the impact of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) on postoperative headache outcomes in patients with carotid artery stenosis, comparing changes in pre-existing headache intensity and the incidence of new-onset headaches.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis on 284 patients who underwent CEA (n=167) or CAS (n=117) between January 2018 and December 2023. Pre- and postoperative headache characteristics were documented at baseline and 24 h, 1 month, and 6 months after the intervention. We evaluated headache frequency, intensity (using the Numeric Rating Scale [NRS]), and duration while focusing on changes in pre-existing headaches and the incidence of new headaches.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients who underwent CEA had a greater reduction in headache intensity at 24 h (NRS median 4, Interquartile range [IQR]: 2-6) compared with those who underwent CAS (NRS median 6, IQR: 2-7; p=0.038). At 1 month, the CEA group continued to show lower headache scores (median 2, IQR: 1-3) compared with the CAS group (median 3, IQR 2-4; p=0.045). At 6 months, both groups had similar levels of headache resolution (p=0.785). Patients who underwent CAS had higher incidences of new-onset headache than those with CEA at 24 h (34.1% vs 20.3%; p=0.033) and 1 month (26.4% vs 13.1%; p=0.018), but converged by 6 months.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the differential impacts of CEA and CAS on headache outcomes, with CEA showing a lower incidence and intensity of postoperative headaches. These findings underscore the need to consider patient-reported symptoms in treatment planning to enhance the quality of life. Further prospective research is essential to corroborate these observations and explore the mechanisms underlying headache outcomes after carotid interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"1587-1596"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11952055/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143753206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Causal Relationship Between Immune Cells and Neuropathic Pain: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study Based on Genome-Wide Association Analysis.","authors":"Wangyu Li, Rongguo Liu","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S511182","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S511182","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Increasing evidence indicates that various types of immune cells are associated with different forms of neuropathic pain (NP). However, the causal relationships among these associations remain unclear. To elucidate the causal relationships between immune cells and NP, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>The exposure and outcome Genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) data used in this study were obtained from open-access databases. This study employed a two-sample MR analysis to evaluate the causal relationships between 731 immune cell traits and four types of NP, including postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), trigeminal neuralgia (TN), diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and drug-induced peripheral neuropathy (DIPN).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The relative count of CD39+ CD4+ %T cells was positively associated with TN, while the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD20 on IgD+ CD38br (B cell) and forward scatter area (FSC-A) on myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) were negatively associated with TN. Additionally, the relative count of CD8br NKT %lymphocytes was positively associated with PHN, and the MFI of HLA DR on CD33br HLA DR+ CD14 (myeloid cells) was negatively associated with PHN. The MFI of CD4 on activated and secreting T regulatory (Treg) cells was positively associated with DPN. Furthermore, the relative count of B cell % CD3- lymphocytes was negatively associated with DIPN.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This MR study, using genetic data from individuals of European descent, provides evidence supporting the causal relationships between several specific immune cell phenotypes and various NP subtypes.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"1515-1523"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11952065/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143753154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations Between Circulating Inflammatory Cytokines and Neuropathic Pain: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.","authors":"Yihan Zheng, Hongmei Wang, Huale Zhang, Xizhu Wu, Min Zhou, Wang Denggui","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S495896","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S495896","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Several recent observational studies have reported that the circulating inflammatory cytokine composition is associated with neuropathic pain. However, the causal effect of 41 circulating inflammatory cytokines on neuropathic pain is unknown.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>A two-sample Mendelian randomization study was performed using summary statistics for a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of circulating inflammatory cytokines conducted within three Finnish cohorts (YFS and FINRISK 1997 and 2002, n=8,293). The summary statistics of neuropathic pain were obtained from the GWAS dataset (800 patients and 195,047 controls). Inverse variance weighting, weighted median weighting, MR‒Egger regression, simple weighting, and weighted weighting were used to examine the causal associations between inflammatory cytokines and neuropathic pain. Sensitivity analyses, including the Cochran Q test, Egger intercept test, and leave-one-out analysis, were performed to verify the robustness of the MR results.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Inverse variance weighted estimates suggested that <i>G-CSF</i> (OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.39-0.83, <i>P</i>=3.4e-03), <i>IL-16</i> (OR=0.73, 95% CI=0.55-0.96, <i>P</i>=2.7e-02), and <i>IL-1β</i> (OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.33-0.99, <i>P</i>=4.4e-02) had protective effects on neuropathic pain. In addition, <i>IP-10</i> (OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.06-1.74, <i>P</i>=1.5e-02) was suggested to be associated with neuropathic pain. No significant heterogeneity of instrumental variables or horizontal pleiotropy was found.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This two-sample Mendelian randomization study revealed that <i>G-CSF, IL-16, IL-1β, and IP-10</i> were causally associated with neuropathic pain. This knowledge could guide future research in developing more effective treatments for neuropathic pain, potentially leading to better pain management options for patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"1525-1544"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11952050/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143753188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Link Between Diabetes, Herpes Zoster, and Post-Herpetic Neuralgia: Insights From Mendelian Randomization.","authors":"Xueying Yang, Dairui Li, Yuqing Chen, Xuerong Zhang, Qiong Zhao","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S501674","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S501674","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diabetes mellitus (DM), herpes zoster (HZ) and its sequelae, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), are common in elderly individuals. Previous observational studies have shown that the prevalence of HZ and PHN in conjunction with DM is increasing. Nonetheless, few studies have investigated the causal relationships between DM and the risk of HZ and PHN.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analysis was conducted on genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. We obtained four separate datasets for DM: type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), mother diabetes mellitus (mother-DM) and father diabetes mellitus (father-DM), and two independent datasets for HZ and anti-varicella-zoster virus IgG (VZV-IgG), a single GWAS for PHN. The inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR‒Egger, weighted median and weighted mode analyses were used to estimate the causality.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Genetically predicted T1D increased the level of VZV-IgG (IVW: OR=1.011, 95% CI 1.006-1.016, <i>P</i> _-FDR=8.44×10^-6). T2D (IVW: OR=1.313; 95% CI 1.043-1.655, <i>P</i> _-FDR=0.041), mother-DM (IVW: OR=7.909; 95% CI 1.232-50.777, <i>P</i> _-FDR=0.039), and father-DM (IVW: OR=11.798; 95% CI 2.051-67.874, <i>P</i> _-FDR=0.023) increased the risk of PHN. No reverse causality was found between HZ, PHN, and DM.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our research reveals a causal link between genetically determined T1D and increased VZV-IgG levels. Additionally, genetically predicted T2D and a family history of DM increase the risk of PHN. These discoveries deepen our comprehension of the underlying causes of HZ and PHN.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"1479-1489"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11937845/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143720058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hyperalgesic Priming in the Transition From Acute to Chronic Pain: Focus on Different Models and the Molecular Mechanisms Involved.","authors":"Mi Zhang, Ningbo Li, Shuai Zhao, Xiaobo Feng","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S514851","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S514851","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Poorly treated acute pain can develop into chronic pain, resulting in significant impairment of patients' quality of life. The hyperalgesic priming model is commonly used to study how acute pain transforms into chronic pain. Inflammatory factors, small molecules, opioid receptor agonists, chemotherapy drugs, and stress serve as initiating factors in the hyperalgesic priming model. Various signaling pathways such as PKCε, MOR and ephrin-B2 pathways, and sexual differences also contribute to the transformation process of chronic pain. In this review, we examine various hyperalgesic priming models and their underlying molecular mechanisms. By thoroughly investigating these molecular mechanisms, researchers can more precisely identify the critical nodes involved in pain transformation, thereby developing more targeted treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"1491-1501"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11934879/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143710349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are Chronic Pain Fellowships Disguised as Acute Pain Fellowships Which Manage Chronic Pain? How to Recognize and Repair.","authors":"Sayed E Wahezi, Ugur Yener, Miles Day, Peter S Staats, Christopher Gilligan, Michael E Schatman, Scott G Pritzlaff","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S525154","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S525154","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"1511-1514"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11934883/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143710348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the Analgesic Mechanisms of Acupuncture for Cancer Pain: Insights From Multimodal Bioelectrical Signal Analysis.","authors":"Jianhao Huang, LiuYang Zhao, YuFeng Xie, Chi Wang, XinJing Yang, HaiFu Huang, Dian Zhang","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S503975","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S503975","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Cancer pain management remains a significant clinical challenge. While acupuncture has shown potential in alleviating cancer pain, its underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This study investigates the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying acupuncture's analgesic effects using multimodal bioelectrical signal analysis.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>Fifteen cancer pain patients underwent acupuncture while wearing portable, multi-sensor devices to capture bioelectrical signals. Pain levels were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) before and during needle retention. Neurophysiological changes were evaluated using Principal Component Analysis, Joint Time-Frequency Analysis, power spectrum analysis, spectral analysis, and dynamic functional network analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a significant reduction in NRS scores from pre-treatment to the retention period, indicating pain relief. Principal component analysis showed significant differences in bioelectrical signals between these periods. Power spectrum analysis revealed decreased signal power during retention. Functional network analysis demonstrated a reduction in connectivity strength between electroencephalography and electromyography signals. Spectral analysis identified distinct real-time and staged characteristics of bioelectrical signals, with correlation analysis confirming a positive relationship between NRS score changes and bioelectrical signal alterations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acupuncture alleviates cancer pain by reducing functional connectivity between injured tissues and the brain, with immediate effects. Prolonging needle retention may enhance therapeutic outcomes. These findings provide new insights into the neurophysiological basis of acupuncture's analgesic effects, supporting its role in cancer pain management.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"1435-1450"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932123/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143700741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Perceived Barriers and Facilitators for Implementing Acute Pain Clinical Trials: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Ketamine Infusions for Sickle Cell Pain.","authors":"Martha O Kenney, Alexander T Limkakeng, Timothy N Ochoa, Joacy G Mathias, Mitchell R Knisely, Francis Keefe","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S507983","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S507983","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Vaso-occlusive events (VOEs) are the primary cause of acute pain in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), where high-dose opioids are the current standard treatment. Ketamine, a non-opioid analgesic, holds potential for managing acute SCD due to its opioid-sparing properties. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to an inpatient clinical trial of ketamine infusion for treatment of acute SCD pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mixed-methods design integrated quantitative survey data from 70 sickle cell and emergency medicine clinicians with qualitative insights from 10 patient focus group participants. Survey responses (n = 77 total, including seven registered nurses) were analyzed descriptively and via Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney <i>U</i>-tests, while focus groups were thematically coded using themes from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Clinicians showed varied comfort levels with ketamine, with significant differences between sickle cell and emergency medicine clinicians. Barriers to future trials included the lack of standardized protocols (50.6%) and providers' attitudes regarding ketamine (32.5%). Patients cited trust in providers and potential health benefits as key facilitators but also expressed concerns about safety, confidentiality, and time commitment of trial participation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Successful implementation of inpatient trials of pain interventions, such as ketamine infusions, requires a multidisciplinary approach, transparent communication about risks, strong clinical frameworks, and patient-centered trial designs. While study limitations, such as potential selection bias and low survey response rate, should be considered, these findings provide actionable insights to guide the design of future clinical trials and improve non-opioid pain management for SCD.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"1465-1478"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932027/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143700720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Non-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Psychological Interventions May Not Make the Difference in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Pain.","authors":"Lauren Perlman, Naomi Malka, Oliver Terry, Alex Nguyen, Lucas Guimarães Ferreira Fonseca, Juan I Ingelmo, Pablo Ingelmo","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S503542","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S503542","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aim: </strong>Chronic pain in pediatric populations presents a multifaceted challenge with biopsychosocial impact, requiring a multidisciplinary approach including psychological treatment. At our interdisciplinary pain center, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic-related disruptions led to the cessation of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other psychological interventions during the pandemic. The aim of this retrospective cohort study with secondary retrospective matched case-control analysis was to evaluate the impact of interruption of non-CBT psychological interventions, namely psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy, on children and adolescents with chronic pain conditions during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We included pediatric patients with primary and secondary chronic pain conditions evaluated by our team during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We excluded patients who did not receive psychological intervention when available, those with incomplete data on initial evaluation or follow-up, and those who received outside psychiatric care or individual or group CBT. The primary outcome was a Patients' Global Impression of Change (PGIC) score of 6-7. Secondary outcome measures were pain intensity, use of pain medication, sleep, physical function, school attendance, the incidence of suicidality, and the reason for end of treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 146 patients, 77 who received non-CBT psychological interventions and 69 who did not receive any psychological interventions. We found no meaningful difference between the use of non-CBT psychological intervention and no treatment in the incidence of PGIC 6-7 points, pain intensity, school attendance, physical function, suicidality, and cause of end of treatment. Patients not receiving any psychological interventions were more likely to have normalized sleep at the end of treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Non-CBT psychological interventions, namely psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy, were not associated with meaningful benefits for children and adolescents with chronic pain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who did not receive psychological interventions reported normalization of their sleep at the end of treatment compared to those who participated in non-CBT interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"1451-1464"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11932939/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143710350","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detrimental Effects of Space Flight on the Lumbar Spine May Be Correlated to Baseline Degeneration: Insights From an Advanced MR Imaging Study.","authors":"Rakan Bokhari, Daniel G Bisson, Maryse Fortin, Marie Vigouroux, Juan Pablo Cata, Ken-Pin Hwang, Melissa M Chen, Guillermo Ceniza-Bordallo, Jean A Ouellet, Pablo M Ingelmo","doi":"10.2147/JPR.S492600","DOIUrl":"10.2147/JPR.S492600","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pain in lower back is a common condition reported by astronauts, both during and after space missions. Investigating the alterations in the spine and the mechanisms driving these changes is essential for a deeper understanding of how microgravity impacts the human spine. This knowledge could also open pathways for therapeutic or preventive interventions. Nevertheless, there is a limited evidence regarding changes in intervertebral discs (IVDs) due to space travel.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this study, 2 astronauts were enrolled in a space travel. Before the space flight, a lower back magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was performed. We repeated an MRI instantly after 17-days space travel, and again 3 months after landing. The water content and glycosaminoglycan (GAGs) levels in the lumbar IVDs were evaluated using DIXON water-only phase imaging and T1rho MRI sequences. Additionally, alterations in the size and quality of the paraspinal muscles (PSMs), including fatty infiltration, were examined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Varied alterations were observed in the IVDs and PSMs of both astronauts. One astronaut experienced a reduction in water and GAGs content, while the other showed an increase. These changes in the IVDs following spaceflight appeared to be linked to the degree of baseline degeneration. Regarding the PSMs, differences in size and fatty infiltration also varied between the two astronauts. Notably, these changes had not stabilized by the final follow-up at 3 months.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings offer initial evidence indicating that even brief exposures to microgravity might be linked to biochemical alterations in IVDs and changes in the quality of PSMs, which could continue evolving for more than 3 months after returning from space.</p>","PeriodicalId":16661,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pain Research","volume":"18 ","pages":"1375-1385"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11930261/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143692418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}