Table 1.
Technical details and major findings of the DTI application studies (voxel-based, as well as tract-based) in pain.
| Reference | Sample size | MRI scanner | DTI parameters | Analytic approaches | Key features of pain | Brainstem regions with significant FA reduction / association | Other brain regions with significant FA reduction / association |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moayedi et al. (4) | 17 patients vs. 17 HC | 3T, GE | b = 0,1 k s/mm2, 23 directions, 1.9 x 1.9 x 3 mm3 resolution | Non-hypothesis-driven TBSS | TMD-related chronic pain | Trigeminal nerve; brainstem | Internal/external capsules, thalamic and corpus callosum, cingulum |
| Teepker et al. (5) | 7 patients vs. 7 HC | 1.5T, Siemens | b = 0,1k, 30 directions, 2 x 2 x 2.4 mm3 resolution | Non-hypothesis-driven TBSS | Cluster headache | Brainstem | Frontal, temporal, occipital lobes, internal capsule, thalamus and cerebellum |
| Leung et al. (6) | 10 patients vs. 10 HC | 1.5T, GE | b = 0,1k s/mm2, 54 directions, 2 x 2 x 2 mm3 resolution | Non-hypothesis-driven TBSS | MTBI-induced persistent headache | No significant findings | Left superior longitudinal fasciculus, right anterior thalamic radiation |
| Ellingson et al. (7) | 33 patients vs. 93 HC | 3T, Siemens | b = 0,1k s/mm2, 61 directions, 3 x 3 x 3 mm3 and 2x2x3mm3 resolution | Non-hypothesis-driven SPM | Irritable bowel syndrome | No significant findings | Thalamic regions, the basal ganglia and sensory/motor association/integration regions |
| Farmer et al. (8) | 34 patients vs. 32 HC | 3T, GE | Not mentioned | Non-hypothesis-driven TBSS | Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome | No significant findings | Right anterior thalamic radiation, left forceps major, and right longitudinal fasciculus |
| Li et al. (9) | 42 patients vs. 42 HC | 3T, GE | b = 0,1k, 30 directions, 2 x 2 x 4 mm3 resolution | Non-hypothesis-driven TBSS | Cervical spondylosis-induced pain | No significant findings | Genu, body, and splenium of corpus callosum, and the right anterior corona radiata |
| Lieberman et al. (10) | 46 patients vs. 33 HC | 3T, Philips | b = 0,1k, 46 directions, 2 x 2 x 2 mm3 resolution | Non-hypothesis-driven TBSS | Chronic musculoskeletal pain | No significant findings | Splenium of corpus callosum, and left cingulum adjacent to the hippocampus |
| Stein et al. (11) | 24 HC | 3T, Siemens | b = 0,1k s/mm2, 60 directions, 1.7 x 1.7 x 1.7 mm3 resolution | Non-hypothesis-driven TBSS | Placebo analgesic responses to thermal stimulation | Periaqueductal gray and connection to the rostral anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices | Right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left rostral anterior cingulate cortex |
| Pijnenburg et al. (12) | 18 Patients vs. 18 HC | 3T Philips | b = 0,1.3k s/mm2, 60 directions, 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 mm3 resolution | Hypothesis-driven tract -atlas based | non-specific low back pain | Superior cerebellar peduncle | Not applicable |
| Zhang et al. (13) | 90 patients | 3T, GE | b = 0,1k s/mm2, 60 directions, 1 x 1 x 2.5 mm3 | Hypothesis-driven brainstem tract-atlas based | Fibromyalgia-like, chronic pain | Dorsal longitudinal fasciculus | Not applicable |
| Geisler et al. (14) | 38 HC | 3T, Siemens | b = 0,1.2k s/mm2, 81 directions, 1.7 x 1.7 x 1.7 mm3 resolution | Hypothesis-driven manual tractography based | Pain intensity to heat stimuli | Medial forebrain bundle | Not applicable |
| Jang et al. (15) | 5 Patients vs. 8 HC | 1.5T, Philips | b = 0,1k s/mm2, 32 directions, 1.3 x 1.3 x 2.5 mm3 resolution | Hypothesis-driven manual tractography based | Central post-stroke pain | Spinothalamic tract | Not applicable |
HC, healthy control; TMD, temporomandibular disorder; TBSS, tract-based spatial statistics; MTBI, mild traumatic brain injury; SPM, statistical parametric mapping.