A randomized pharmacological fMRI trial investigating D-cycloserine and brain plasticity mechanisms in learned pain responses.

ABSTRACT: Learning and negative outcome expectations can increase pain sensitivity, a phenomenon known as nocebo hyperalgesia. Here, we examined how a targeted pharmacological manipulation of learning would impact nocebo responses and their brain correlates. Participants received either a placebo (n = 27) or a single 80 mg dose of D-cycloserine (a partial NMDA receptor agonist; n = 23) and underwent fMRI. Behavioral conditioning and negative suggestions were used to induce nocebo responses. Participants underwent pre-conditioning outside the scanner. During scanning, we first delivered baseline pain stimulations, followed by nocebo acquisition and extinction phases. During acquisition, high intensity thermal pain was paired with supposed activation of sham electrical stimuli (nocebo trials), whereas

SUBMITTER: Thomaidou MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9646732 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature