An fMRI-Based Neurologic Signature of Physical Pain

This case focuses on fMRI-based neurologic signatures of physical pain by asking the question: Can functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) be used to identify sensitive and specific brain measures of experimental thermal pain in healthy volunteers? This fMRI study identified an interpretable and reproducible neurologic signature of cutaneous pain elicited by noxious heat in healthy volunteers. The interpretation of fMRI neurologic signatures could be useful in situations in which patients are unable to communicate the perception of pain effectively. Further studies are needed to assess whether this signature predicts clinical pain.