Functional Brain Imaging Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness of Antidepressants and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Glossodynia

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K11908
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Surgical dentistry
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Doi Mitsuru 広島大学, 医系科学研究科(歯), 助教 (30412620)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 吉野 敦雄 広島大学, 保健管理センター, 准教授 (90633727)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 舌痛症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Changes were observed in limbic regions such as the amygdala during treatment with antidepressants for glossodynia, and in neocortical regions such as the prefrontal cortex during cognitive-behavioral therapy. Both treatments were considered important because of the differences in the areas affected.
In the psychological aspect, the higher the level of catastrophic thinking, depression, and anxiety, the more intractable the tongue pain tended to be. In addition, tests of somatosensory acuity using the heart rate receptor sensitivity test revealed that patients with higher levels of anxiety and depression tended to have higher levels of somatosensory acuity.
The combination of antidepressant medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy focused on anxiety and catastrophic thinking was found to be useful in the treatment of glossodynia.

Free Research Field

口腔顔面痛

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

舌痛症などの慢性痛疾患は頻回の病院受診、薬の多剤処方などによる医療費の拡大や就労困難による経済的損失は甚大なものとなっており、解決は急務と考えられる。
舌痛症の病態が明らかになり、より効果的な治療が行われるようになることで、これらの問題を解決することができるため、本研究の学術的・社会的意義は大きいと考えらえれる。