Scientists reveal the connection between a little-known region of the brain and the way we perceive pain

It is one of the most densely interconnected areas of the brain and yet one of the least studied. The claustrum, a relatively unknown region of the brain, could be the next frontier for improving outcomes for patients with brain damage, a new study published in the Brain magazine.

A multidisciplinary research team from Oxford University of the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG), the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN) and Experimental Psychology (EP) discovered new clues to the role of one of the most densely interconnected, but still rarely studied, areas of the brain.

The researchers reviewed studies of patients with lesions in the cloister, who - although rare - have cognitive impairments and seizures. In addition, the lack of clinical focus in the faculty may mean that there are many more cases yet to be discovered.

They also discovered an underestimated link between claustrum and pain. It is already known that there are links between the claustrum and perception, prominence and the sleep-wake cycle, but this is the first time that a research team has shown how the claustrum could be more involved in the debilitating experience of pain.

“The problem with understanding how the claustrum works is that it is deep in the brain, and the damage that is specific to it is very rare,” said Dr. Adam Packer, lead author of the study. He added, “What makes it harder to figure out what it really does is that these rare occurrences are also related to such a wide range of symptoms.”

According to the specialist, “when the claustrum is damaged, the effects are serious and better therapies are urgently needed. Damage to this region of the brain may be more common than we currently believe, and it can be a crucial component in many more cases of brain damage.”

The researchers found several recorded cases of infection, autoimmunity, or other process that attacked the particular claustrum, and when analyzing the results of these studies and others, the most common symptoms in patients were cognitive impairment and seizures.

“This work is important because it gives us an idea of the cognitive and neurological processes in which the claustrum may be involved, and it gives us objectives to follow in basic research in the laboratory,” concluded the expert. However, he assured that more work is needed to better understand the claustrum and the impact of damage in this region, which could ultimately change clinical guidelines.

When the brain is injured or sick, the impact on quality of life is crucial. Therefore, neurological diseases are the leading cause of disability in the world. However, today, reality teaches us that starting a new life project beyond the neurological sequelae is possible thanks to a comprehensive and interdisciplinary treatment.

When it comes to brain injuries, it is common to think both about the prevention or control of avoidable risk factors and the need for immediate diagnosis and treatment. Even so, to a much lesser extent, it is taken into account that a specialized stage of neurorehabilitation will be required, focused on the reintegration of the patient from the family, social and occupational point of view. “Treatment in neurological rehabilitation should be aimed at reacquiring lost skills,” explained Dr. Máximo Zimerman PhD in Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation at the University Hospital of Hamburg, Germany, and medical director of the CITES INECO center.

The specialist explained that “the science behind neurorehabilitation is neuroplasticity, and describes the ability of the nervous system to change its structure and functioning as a reaction to various situations and training. This adaptive potential makes it possible to improve compromised functions by strengthening recovery. A coordinated, structured and interdisciplinary approach based on modern paradigms is crucial for this.”

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