The stress model of chronic pain: evidence from basal cortisol and hippocampal structure and function in humans
Vachon-Presseau E, Roy M, Martel M, Caron E, Marin M, Chen J, Albouy G, Plante I, Sullivan M, Lupien S, Rainville P. The stress model of chronic pain: evidence from basal cortisol and hippocampal structure and function in humans. Brain 2013, 136: 815-827. PMID: 23436504, DOI: 10.1093/brain/aws371.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChronic back painChronic painHippocampal volumeBack painControl subjectsParahippocampal gyrusPain-evoked activityPersistent pain statesAnterior parahippocampal gyrusHealthy control subjectsSmaller hippocampal volumesChronic pain intensityEndocrine stress responsePain statesPain intensityPain responseBasal cortisolPainHippocampal structureCortisol levelsMaladaptive physiological responsesHigher cortisolHippocampal complexConsecutive daysPatients