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Project
Unravelling the epigenetic mechanisms of exercise-induced pain in chronic widespread pain: DNA methylation regulation of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and its modulation by transcranial direct current stimulation (FWOTM1249)
Pain symptoms worsening after one bout of exercise is one crucial aspect of chronic widespread pain
(CWP), leading to a vicious cycle of physical inactivity that worsens the condition. The underlying
mechanisms of exercise-induced pain remain elusive. CWP is associated with abnormal gene
expression in an epigenetic manner. Our preliminary data show a significant increase in serum brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels post-exercise (p<.014), positively correlated with
increased pain sensitivity and symptoms worsening in CWP patients (n=37).
Epigenetics represents a mechanism explaining how environmental factors such as exercise can alter
gene expression, offering a target for innovative therapies such as transcranial direct current
stimulation (tDCS). This randomized crossover study aims to evaluate 1) the effect of acute exercise
on BDNF levels and DNA methylation; and 2) the effect of adding a tDCS protocol aimed at inducing
neuroplasticity during exercise. Sixty CWP patients will undergo 3 interventions in random order: 1)
exercise + active tDCS, 2) exercise + sham tDCS, and 3) sham tDCS at rest. Main outcomes (DNA
methylation, serum BNDF levels, and pain sensitivity) will be assessed pre- and post-intervention.
Expected results hold promise for identifying BDNF DNA methylation patterns as key biomarkers that
modulate or contribute to pain. This study will be the first to explore whether tDCS holds the
potential to reprogram BDNF DNA methylation in CWP patients
(CWP), leading to a vicious cycle of physical inactivity that worsens the condition. The underlying
mechanisms of exercise-induced pain remain elusive. CWP is associated with abnormal gene
expression in an epigenetic manner. Our preliminary data show a significant increase in serum brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels post-exercise (p<.014), positively correlated with
increased pain sensitivity and symptoms worsening in CWP patients (n=37).
Epigenetics represents a mechanism explaining how environmental factors such as exercise can alter
gene expression, offering a target for innovative therapies such as transcranial direct current
stimulation (tDCS). This randomized crossover study aims to evaluate 1) the effect of acute exercise
on BDNF levels and DNA methylation; and 2) the effect of adding a tDCS protocol aimed at inducing
neuroplasticity during exercise. Sixty CWP patients will undergo 3 interventions in random order: 1)
exercise + active tDCS, 2) exercise + sham tDCS, and 3) sham tDCS at rest. Main outcomes (DNA
methylation, serum BNDF levels, and pain sensitivity) will be assessed pre- and post-intervention.
Expected results hold promise for identifying BDNF DNA methylation patterns as key biomarkers that
modulate or contribute to pain. This study will be the first to explore whether tDCS holds the
potential to reprogram BDNF DNA methylation in CWP patients
Date:1 Nov 2024 → Today
Keywords:Pain, Epigenetic mechanism, Transcranial direct current stimulation
Disciplines:Rehabilitation sciences