Longitudinal Change in Brain Functional Connectivity with Herpes Zoster Patients: Neuroimaging Case Series

Changjae Kim, Joongbaek Kim, Hyunjae Chang, Dakyung Hong, Sanghyun Hong, Hosik Moon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The exact mechanism involved in the development of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is not yet known. The objective of this study was to evaluate longitudinal functional connectivity (FC) changes in the neuroimaging case series of patients with acute herpes zoster (HZ). Cases: This study included five patients who had symptoms of HZ. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted at enrollment and 3 months to determine FC changes. Of the five patients, three developed PHN. In the PHN subjects, the FC of the left superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) were activated. The left SFG is known to contribute to higher cognitive functions and working memory. The right IFG is associated with pain processing and empathy for pain. Conclusions: Although only a few patients were enrolled in this study, the PHN could be affected by pain itself, as well as pain memory and psychological aspects such as empathy for pain.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1045
JournalMedicina (Lithuania)
Volume59
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.

Keywords

  • chronic pain
  • connectivity
  • functional
  • functional neuroimaging
  • herpes zoster
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • neural pathways
  • postherpetic neuralgia
  • prefrontal cortex

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