Genetic Factors in Thermal Pain Perception
Author Information
Author(s): Lindstedt Fredrik, Lonsdorf Tina B., Schalling Martin, Kosek Eva, Ingvar Martin
Primary Institution: Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Hypothesis
The sensitivity to thermal pain and the thermal grill illusion are associated with the tri-allelic 5-HTTLPR genotype.
Conclusion
Low 5-HTT expression is associated with reduced sensitivity to thermal pain in healthy individuals.
Supporting Evidence
- Low 5-HTT-expressing individuals were less sensitive to heat and cold pain.
- Significant gender-by-genotype interaction for cold-pain perception.
- The thermal grill illusion was rated as more unpleasant than painful.
Takeaway
People with a certain gene variant feel less pain from heat and cold. This might help us understand why some people have chronic pain.
Methodology
Participants were selected based on their serotonin transporter gene variants and tested for thermal pain thresholds using a thermal grill.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported health status and the small sample size.
Limitations
The sample size was small and results are limited to individuals of European descent.
Participant Demographics
44 healthy individuals (27 females, 17 males) of European descent.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.02 for heat pain, p=0.03 for cold pain
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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