Longitudinal resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in a mouse model of metastatic bone cancer reveals distinct functional reorganizations along a developing chronic pain state

Pain. 2018 Apr;159(4):719-727. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001148.

Abstract

Functional neuroimaging has emerged as attractive option for characterizing pain states complementing behavioral readouts or clinical assessment. In particular, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) enables monitoring of functional adaptations across the brain, for example, in response to chronic nociceptive input. We have used rs-fMRI in a mouse model of chronic pain from breast cancer-derived tibial bone metastases to identify pain-induced alterations in functional connectivity. Combined assessment of behavioral readouts allowed for defining a trajectory as model function for extracting pain-specific functional connectivity changes from the fMRI data reflective of a chronic pain state. Cingulate and prefrontal cortices as well as the ventral striatum were identified as predominantly affected regions, in line with findings from clinical and preclinical studies. Inhibition of the peripheral bone remodeling processes by antiosteolytic therapy led to a reduction of pain-induced network alterations, emphasizing the specificity of the functional readouts for a developing chronic pain state.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Neoplasms / complications*
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Chronic Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Chronic Pain / drug therapy
  • Chronic Pain / etiology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Pain Measurement
  • Rest
  • Zoledronic Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Zoledronic Acid
  • Oxygen