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Early life inflammation is associated with spinal cord excitability and nociceptive sensitivity in human infants

Author

Listed:
  • Maria M. Cobo

    (University of Oxford
    Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Colegio de Ciencias Biologicas y Ambientales)

  • Gabrielle Green

    (University of Oxford)

  • Foteini Andritsou

    (University of Oxford)

  • Luke Baxter

    (University of Oxford)

  • Ria Evans Fry

    (University of Oxford
    Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Annika Grabbe

    (Paracelsus Medical University)

  • Deniz Gursul

    (University of Oxford)

  • Amy Hoskin

    (University of Oxford)

  • Gabriela Schmidt Mellado

    (University of Oxford)

  • Marianne Vaart

    (University of Oxford)

  • Eleri Adams

    (University of Oxford
    Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Aomesh Bhatt

    (University of Oxford)

  • Franziska Denk

    (King’s College London)

  • Caroline Hartley

    (University of Oxford)

  • Rebeccah Slater

    (University of Oxford)

Abstract

Immune function and sensitivity to pain are closely related, but the association between early life inflammation and sensory nervous system development is poorly understood—especially in humans. Here, in term-born infants, we measure brain activity and reflex withdrawal activity (using EEG and EMG) and behavioural and physiological activity (using the PIPP-R score) to assess the impact of suspected early-onset neonatal infection on tactile- and noxious-evoked responses. We present evidence that neonatal inflammation (assessed by measuring C-reactive protein levels) is associated with increased spinal cord excitability and evoked brain activity following both tactile and noxious stimulation. There are early indications that this hyperalgesia could be maintained post-inflammation, supporting pre-clinical reports of early-life immune dysfunction influencing pain sensitivity in adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria M. Cobo & Gabrielle Green & Foteini Andritsou & Luke Baxter & Ria Evans Fry & Annika Grabbe & Deniz Gursul & Amy Hoskin & Gabriela Schmidt Mellado & Marianne Vaart & Eleri Adams & Aomesh Bhatt &, 2022. "Early life inflammation is associated with spinal cord excitability and nociceptive sensitivity in human infants," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31505-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31505-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jessica A. Osterhout & Vikrant Kapoor & Stephen W. Eichhorn & Eric Vaughn & Jeffrey D. Moore & Ding Liu & Dean Lee & Laura A. DeNardo & Liqun Luo & Xiaowei Zhuang & Catherine Dulac, 2022. "A preoptic neuronal population controls fever and appetite during sickness," Nature, Nature, vol. 606(7916), pages 937-944, June.
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