Sex differences in pain perception and modulation in the brain: effects of insular cortex stimulation on chronic pain relief.

ABSTRACT: Sex-specific differences in brain activation related to chronic pain remain poorly understood. In particular, how stimulation of the insular cortex-a key modulator of pain processing-differentially affects neural pathways in males and females is not well characterized. This study aimed to determine whether insular cortex stimulation activates distinct pain modulation circuits in a sex-dependent manner using a rat model of chronic pain. Understanding these differences may help inform more personalized and effective pain treatment. Neuropathic pain was induced in male and female rats to establish a chronic pain model, followed by insular cortex stimulation. Pain sensitivity was assessed using mechanical allodynia tests to evaluate the behavioural responses. Functional brain connectivity was

SUBMITTER: Kwon M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12492487 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature