C-tactile touch perception in migraineurs – a case-control study

Abstract

Background Migraine is characterized by sensory hypersensitivity and habituation deficits. Slow brushing over the skin activates C-tactile nerve fibers, which mediate pleasant touch and analgesic effects in healthy subjects. As this function is altered in painful conditions, we aimed to examine whether the C-tactile processing is disrupted in migraines. Methods To psychophysically assess C-tactile function, we applied optimal and suboptimal C-tactile stroking stimuli on the dorsal forearm (body reference area) and the trigeminally innervated skin of 52 interictal migraineurs and 52 matched healthy controls. For habituation testing, 60 repeated C-tactile optimal stimuli were presented in both test areas. The participants rated each stimulus on a visual analogue scale by intensity, pleasantness, and painfulness. Results Regarding C-tactile function, migraineurs showed unphysiological rating patterns but no significantly different pleasantness ratings than controls. During repeated stimulation, controls showed stable pleasantness ratings while migraineurs’ ratings decreased, especially in those experiencing tactile allodynia during headaches. Migraineurs taking triptans responded like controls. Conclusion The C-tactile function of migraineurs is subclinically altered. Repeated C-tactile stimulation leads to altered habituation but differs from previous work by the direction of the changes. Although the pathophysiology remains unknown, causative mechanisms could include central and peripheral neuronal sensitization, tactile allodynia and hedonic stimulus attributions.

Insecure Attachment, Oxytocinergic System and C Tactile Fibers: An Integrative and Translational Pathophysiological Model of Fibromyalgia and Central Sensitization Syndromes

“…In this study, the authors suggest that the reduction in the activity of the posterior part of the IC during the pleasant rating, and the activation of its anterior region during pain assessment, could be linked to normal sensory processing associated with anedhonia to pleasant touch and abnormal evaluative processing, confirming the potential role of CT afferents in the physiology and pathophysiology of both acute and CP modulation [102]. Interestingly, although to a lesser extent, an altered function of CT afferents has also been found in migraine which, like FMS, is part of COPCs [103]. In particular, during the interictal phase, migraine patients showed greater habituation to the stimulation of CT afferents on the trigeminal-innervated skin.…”

Whisker Stimulation Alleviate ASD Behavior of BTBR Mice by Regulating Piezo2 Expression in DRG and Neuron Function in S1 and mPFC

“…After repeated gentle stimulation of the whisker, BTBR mice showed a clear increase in tactile threshold, improvement in social exploration and novelty, reduction in repetitive behavior, and some improvement in cognitive function. Massage tactile stimulation intervention has been shown to alleviate tactile damage, anxiety, and cognitive developmental behavior in population studies (35). Although there is no relevant research on the effect of tactile intervention in ASD model mice, evidence suggests that early gentle touching of mice can promote social interaction in adulthood (36).…”

The analgesic power of pleasant touch in individuals with chronic pain: Recent findings and new insights

“…Another CP condition in which pleasant touch has been investigated is migraine. In a Lapp et al (2020) study, initially there was no difference in ratings of pleasantness between patients and controls when they were asked to rate a single stroke at different velocities (1, 3, 10 cm/s as optimal-CT velocity vs. 0.3, 30 cm/s as suboptimal velocity). However, in the second part of the study, participants had to rate repeated pleasant touches: here, only the patients with migraine showed a decrease in pleasantness ratings.…”