Stroking modulates noxious-evoked brain activity in human infants

Gursul, Deniz; Goksan, Sezgi; Hartley, Caroline; Mellado, Gabriela Schmidt; Moultrie, Fiona; Hoskin, Amy; Adams, Eleri; Hathway, Gareth; Walker, Susannah; McGlone, Francis; Slater, Rebeccah

Abstract

A subclass of C fibre sensory neurons found in hairy skin are activated by gentle touch [1] and respond optimally to stroking at ∼1–10 cm/s, serving a protective function by promoting affiliative behaviours. In adult humans, stimulation of these C-tactile (CT) afferents is pleasant, and can reduce pain perception [2]. Touch-based techniques, such as infant massage and kangaroo care, are designed to comfort infants during procedures, and a modest reduction in pain-related behavioural and physiological responses has been observed in some studies [3]. Here, we investigated whether touch can reduce noxious-evoked brain activity. We demonstrate that stroking (at 3 cm/s) prior to an experimental noxious stimulus or clinical heel lance can attenuate noxious-evoked brain activity in infants. CT fibres may represent a biological target for non-pharmacological interventions that modulate pain in early life.

Citation

Gursul, D., Goksan, S., Hartley, C., Mellado, G. S., Moultrie, F., Hoskin, A., …Slater, R. (2018). Stroking modulates noxious-evoked brain activity in human infants. Current Biology, 28(24), R1380-R1381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2018.11.014

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 17, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Dec 17, 2018
• Publication Date: Dec 17, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 18, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 18, 2018
• Journal: Current Biology
• Print ISSN: 0960-9822
• Publisher: Cell Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 24
• Pages: R1380-R1381
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2018.11.014
• Keywords: General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1420903
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982218314805?via%3Dihub
• Contract Date: Dec 18, 2018