EEG-based analysis of intrinsic brain network function in chronic pain: Insights from a comprehensive multi-data set study

Abstract

Chronic pain is associated with alterations in brain function. A better understanding of these alterations might help to develop new approaches for the diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of chronic pain. Here, we analyzed associations between chronic pain and alterations of intrinsic brain network function using resting-state electroencephalography. We included data from 537 people with chronic pain obtained from various research groups worldwide. We found strong evidence for associations between pain intensity and intrinsic brain network connectivity, but the replicability of these associations in independent data was mostly low. However, a mega-analysis revealed associations of chronic pain with salience-somatomotor network connectivity at theta frequencies and with more complex patterns of intrinsic brain network connectivity. These findings provide novel insights into brain network function in chronic pain. Moreover, they highlight the need for collaborative multi-center studies, which can be guided by the present approach to promote replicability and consistency of findings.