A review of burn symptoms and potential novel neural targets for non-invasive brain stimulation for treatment of burn sequelae

Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J89135

Journal:

Burns

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2021 , 47, 3, 525-537

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study reviews the neural circuitry involved in post-burn symptoms and provides a scientific rationale for specific non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) targets that can potentially treat these conditions. Burn survivors experience myriad associated symptoms such as pain, pruritus, fatigue, impaired motor strength, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Many of these symptoms are common and remain chronic, despite current standard of care. One potential novel intervention to target these post burn symptoms is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a NIBS technique that modulates neural excitability of a specific target or neural network. PubMed was searched for studies investigating the effects of tDCS on burn related symptoms in burn survivors. Only three studies matched the inclusion criteria. One was a feasibility study assessing cortical plasticity in chronic neuropathic pain following burn injury, one looked at the effects of tDCS to reduce pain anxiety during burn wound care, and one assessed the effects of tDCS to manage pain and pruritus in burn survivors. Based on the review and results in other populations suffering from similar symptoms as patients with burn injuries, three main areas were selected: the prefrontal region, the parietal area, and the motor cortex. Based on the importance of the prefrontal cortex in the emotional component of pain and its implication in various psychosocial symptoms, targeting this region may represent the most promising target.

Author(s):