Brain Waste Clearing Is Affected By Chronic Pain and Poor Sleep
A new study conducted at the McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida explores how chronic pain and sleep impairment interact with the brain’s waste clearance system using advanced MRI-based techniques. Researchers applied Diffusion Tensor Imaging-Analysis aLong the Perivascular Space (DTI-ALPS), a non-invasive MRI approach that may serve as a proxy for waste removal efficiency in deep white matter. By analyzing brain scans and self-reported measures of pain and sleep quality over two years, they found that more widespread and prolonged pain at baseline led to declines in the DTI-ALPS index—but only through the effect of increased sleep impairment. This finding underscores the brain’s role in the pain-sleep relationship and highlights the potential of MRI in advancing our understanding of chronic pain’s impact on brain health.
The article, “Widespread and Prolonged Pain May Reduce Brain Clearance Capacity Only via Sleep Impairment: Evidence from Participants with Knee Pain” was co-authored by Pedro Valdes-Hernandez, Soamy Montesino Goicolea, Roger FIllingim, Chavier Laffitte Nodarse, Alisa Johnson and Yenisel Cruz-Almeida.
Congratulations!
The article, “Widespread and Prolonged Pain May Reduce Brain Clearance Capacity Only via Sleep Impairment: Evidence from Participants with Knee Pain” was co-authored by Pedro Valdes-Hernandez, Soamy Montesino Goicolea, Roger FIllingim, Chavier Laffitte Nodarse, Alisa Johnson and Yenisel Cruz-Almeida.
Congratulations!
Study Provides Insights into Pain Management For African American Older Adults
A new study, “Factor Structure of the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form in African American Older Adults With Osteoarthritis,” has been published in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing!
Co-authored by Jianli Wu, Ann Horgas, and Star Booker, the research examines how the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) assesses pain in African American older adults with osteoarthritis. The study also explores how the BPI-SF captures pain intensity and its impact on daily life across different age groups.
These findings provide valuable insights into improving pain assessment and management for this population!