Swiss study: Chronic pain leaves measurable traces in the brain

Particularly striking was that the differences were most pronounced not in the classic pain areas, but in regions of the attention network. This is consistent with the assumption that in the transition from acute to chronic pain, emotional and cognitive processes also increasingly gain in importance, explained Häuselmann. A cross-sectional study can only provide snapshots of this dynamic.

Open questions about the cause

The research team emphasizes that the results do not allow any conclusions about the cause of the pain. Whether the observed structural changes are a consequence of the pain, a prerequisite for its chronification, or arise in parallel cannot be clarified with the current data. Prospective studies that follow the same individuals over months or years are needed for this.

The study was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and as part of the Competence Center for Multimorbidity (KMM). The participation of several Swiss clinics and institutes, including researchers from the University of Fribourg, underscores the translational approach of translating findings from imaging into clinical concepts as quickly as possible.

Significance for therapy

For clinical practice, the researchers see several consequences: patients with chronic pain should also be examined more closely for neuropsychological accompanying symptoms such as concentration difficulties or affective distress. In addition, the data underscore the importance of multimodal therapies that combine physical and psychological approaches.

Observers in Germany, where millions of people suffer from chronic pain, consider the study an important contribution to health services research. It could help better explain the often still stigmatized diagnosis and strengthen the acceptance of neurobiological explanatory approaches. This is also relevant for health insurance companies, which decide on the financing of corresponding therapy services.

Outlook on further studies

Häuselmann announced that her team intends to launch larger longitudinal studies in the coming years in order to capture the temporal sequence of brain changes more precisely. Long-term studies are necessary, she emphasized. In parallel, the consortium plans collaborations with European partners to validate the results in independent cohorts.

Overall, the work provides a differentiated picture of pain chronification: away from the notion of a purely peripheral process, toward a model in which the brain itself plays a central role. Further research must show whether the structural findings can be used therapeutically – for instance, to identify particularly vulnerable patients early and treat them in a targeted manner.