Brain-Based Treatments Targeting Aberrant Sensorimotor Cortex Excitability in the Transition to Chronic Pain

This presentation will explore novel brain-based treatments designed to target aberrant sensorimotor cortex excitability in the transition from acute to chronic pain. An increasing body of research suggests low sensorimotor cortex excitability in the acute stage of musculoskeletal pain could be a risk factor for the development of chronic pain. Treatments designed to raise sensorimotor cortex excitability when pain is acute could therefore provide an avenue for early intervention, potentially halting the transition to chronic pain. Non-invasive brain stimulation is one technique that can modulate sensorimotor cortex excitability and influence broader cortical processing through widespread network effects. This presentation will examine non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) as a potential treatment in individuals with musculoskeletal pain, focusing on the cortical mechanisms of action. In addition, new data investigating the effect of nicotine on sensorimotor cortex excitability in pain will be presented.