1. Stroking modulates noxious-evoked brain activity in human infants
- Author
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Gursul, D, Goksan, S, Hartley, C, Shmidt Mellado, G, Moultrie, F, Hoskin, A, Adams, E, Hathway, G, Walker, S, McGlone, F, and Slater, R
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Male ,Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated ,Sensory Receptor Cells ,Infant, Newborn ,Brain ,BF ,Electroencephalography ,QP ,Article ,QH301 ,Touch Perception ,Touch ,Skin Physiological Phenomena ,Humans ,Female ,Hair ,Skin - Abstract
Summary A subclass of C fibre sensory neurons found in hairy skin are activated by gentle touch [1] and respond optimally to stroking at ∼1–10 cm/s, serving a protective function by promoting affiliative behaviours. In adult humans, stimulation of these C-tactile (CT) afferents is pleasant, and can reduce pain perception [2]. Touch-based techniques, such as infant massage and kangaroo care, are designed to comfort infants during procedures, and a modest reduction in pain-related behavioural and physiological responses has been observed in some studies [3]. Here, we investigated whether touch can reduce noxious-evoked brain activity. We demonstrate that stroking (at 3 cm/s) prior to an experimental noxious stimulus or clinical heel lance can attenuate noxious-evoked brain activity in infants. CT fibres may represent a biological target for non-pharmacological interventions that modulate pain in early life., Gursul et al. find that gentle stroking of the skin at a frequency that stimulates C-fibre sensory neurons relieves pain in infants.