Loss in Executive Functioning Best Explains Changes in Pain Responsiveness in Patients with Dementia-Related Cognitive Decline

Behavioural Neurology
Miriam KunzStefan Lautenbacher

Abstract

There is ample evidence that dementia changes the processing of pain. However, it is not known whether this change in pain processing is related to the general decline in cognitive functioning or whether it may be related to specific domains of cognitive functioning. With the present study we tried to answer this question. We assessed different cognitive domains (orientation, memory, abstract thinking/executive function, aphasia and apraxia, and information processing speed) in 70 older patients with cognitive impairment (mild cognitive impairment up to moderate degrees of dementia). Pain responsiveness was assessed by measuring the nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) threshold and facial responses to noxious electrical stimulation. Using regression analyses, we assessed which domain of cognitive functioning best predicted variance in pain responsiveness. Variance in pain responsiveness (NFR and facial expressions) was best explained by those items assessing executive functioning even when controlling for overall cognitive performance and memory functioning. The close association between executive functioning and pain responsiveness suggests that dementia-related neurodegeneration in prefrontal areas might result not only in reduc...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 16, 2016·Behavioural Neurology·Marina de TommasoMassimiliano Valeriani
Jul 12, 2016·Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics·Marina de TommasoMassimiliano Valeriani
Jul 18, 2017·Hormones and Behavior·Annunziatina LaurinoLaura Raimondi
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Jun 8, 2018·Molecular Neurobiology·Wei-Yi OngDeron R Herr
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Dec 17, 2020·European Journal of Pain : EJP·Johanna Basten-GüntherStefan Lautenbacher
Nov 19, 2021·Pain Medicine : the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine·Paul A BeachTodd B Monroe

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
FACS

Software Mentioned

Observer Video - Pro
Facial Action Coding System ( FACS )

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