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. 2024 Jun 26;14(7):641.
doi: 10.3390/brainsci14070641.

Investigating Whether a Combination of Electro-Encephalography and Gene Expression Profiling Can Predict the Risk of Chronic Pain: A Protocol for an Observational Prospective Cohort Study

Ann-Christin Sannes  1   2 , Usman Ghani  3   4 , Imran Khan Niazi  3   4   5 , Torgeir Moberget  6   7 , Rune Jonassen  1 , Heidi Haavik  3 , Johannes Gjerstad  2   6
Affiliations

Investigating Whether a Combination of Electro-Encephalography and Gene Expression Profiling Can Predict the Risk of Chronic Pain: A Protocol for an Observational Prospective Cohort Study

Ann-Christin Sannes et al. Brain Sci. .

Abstract

Despite most episodes of low back pain (LBP) being short-lasting, some transition into persistent long-lasting problems. Hence, the need for a deeper understanding of the physiological mechanisms of this is pertinent. Therefore, the aims of the present study are (1) to map pain-induced changes in brain activity and blood gene expression associated with persistent LBP, and (2) to explore whether these brain and gene expression signatures show promise as predictive biomarkers for the development of persistent LBP. The participants will be allocated into three different pain groups (no pain, mild short-lasting, or moderate long-term). One in-person visit, where two blood samples will be collected and sent for RNA sequencing, along with resting 64-channel electro-encephalography measurements before, during, and after a cold pressor test, will be conducted. Thereafter, follow-up questionnaires will be distributed at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Recruitment will start during the second quarter of 2024, with expected completion by the last quarter of 2024. The results are expected to provide insight into the relationship between central nervous system activity, gene expression profiles, and LBP. If successful, this study has the potential to provide physiological indicators that are sensitive to the transition from mild, short-term LBP to more problematic, long-term LBP.

Keywords: RNA sequencing; electro-encephalography (EEG); low back pain.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proposed flow of participant exclusion criteria and group assignment. A total of at least 20 participants. EEG—electro-encephalography and NRS—numeric rating scale.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proposed flow of study and data collection. AUT—Auckland University of Technology; EEG—electro-encephalography; CP—cold pressor. The EEG measurements consists of 3 min of eyes open and 3 min of eyes closed before and after CP test.
Figure 3
Figure 3
EEG data collection protocol.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Preliminary Ahus data from our own group. Power calculation based on mRNA seq analyses (3 pain free + 3 participants with pain) showing a required 8 + 8 participants in each group to ensure sufficient statistical power of 0.95, p < 0.01.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Different features of independent components. To ensure the results are actual brain components, features such as 1/f frequency response, clear dipole formation, and activity resembling random brain activity will be used.
Figure 6
Figure 6
EEG processing pipeline.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Source reconstruction. Made with BioRender.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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