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Abstract #1220

Longitudinal structural and functional brain network alterations in a mouse model of neuropathic pain

Claudia Falfan-Melgoza1,2, Ainhoa Bilbao3,4, Robert Becker1,2, Sarah Leixner3,4, Markus Sack1,2, Gabriele Ende2, Alexander Sartorius1,5, Rainer Spanagel4, and Wolfgang Weber-Fahr1,2

1RG Translational Imaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany, 2Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany, 3RG Behavioral Genetics, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany, 4Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany, 5Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany

We combined multimodal (rsfMRI,M MRS, VBM) neuroimaging to longitudinally monitor changes in brain metabolism, structure and connectivity using the spared nerve injury (SNI) mouse model of chronic neuropathic pain. Voxel-based morphometry demonstrated volume decrease in all brain sites assessed. Global and local network changes after SNI disappeared over time, except the nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Connectivity changes were accompanied by enhanced glutamate levels in the hippocampus. We suggest that hippocampal hyperexcitability may alter synaptic plasticity within the nucleus accumbens, circadian motor activity and emotionality during pain chronification.

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