Mechanism of stress-induced pain exacerbation and chronicity in patients with masticatory muscle pain

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K21020
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyushu Dental College
• Principal Investigator: Ando Eika 九州歯科大学, 歯学部, 助教 (60964541)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 心理的ストレス / 咀嚼筋痛

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In clinical dentistry, we often encounter patients with masticatory muscle pain (MP). There are many cases in which MP patients with mild or well-controlled pain worsen and become chronic after experiencing psychological stress in daily life. Although it has been suggested that psychological stress and associated autonomic nerve disorders are involved in the exacerbation of chronic pain, including MP, the detailed mechanism is unknown. In this research project, in order to clarify the mechanism by which psychological stress exacerbates MP, we will examine the autonomic nervous activity and the functional modulation of the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which controls psychological stress, during psychological stress in MP patients. There is no doubt that if we can elucidate the mechanism by which stress affects the exacerbation of MP, it will be good news for patients suffering from chronic pain.

Free Research Field

歯科麻酔

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

過去の報告では、成人の12-14%がMPに苦しんでおり憂慮すべき社会的問題になっている。慢性疼痛の増悪や疼痛の慢性化に心理的ストレスが関与していることは以前より指摘されているが、そのメカニズムは不明なままである。また心理的ストレスが大脳辺縁系に伝えられ、自律神経活動に影響を与える経路は明らかになっているが、その経路が疼痛の増悪に関与するかの報告はない。そのメカニズムについては国内外を問わず、明らかにされていない。本研究において心理的ストレスにより咀嚼筋痛が増悪するメカニズムを明らかにすることができれば、咀嚼筋痛のみならず、多くの慢性疼痛増悪のメカニズム解明につながる可能性がある。