In this fMRI study we introduce an animal model to investigate the neural mechanisms of conditioned pain modulation (CPM) in rat brains. Here, a conditioning tonic cold (10°C water) stimulus at the right hindpaw was used to modulate nociceptive heat stimuli applied to the left hindpaw. Conditioned modulations in functional activation and related network connectivity could be observed in various brain structures involved in pain processing: brainstem and sensory input, lateral thalamus, sensorimotor cortex, frontal association cortex and limbic system. Additionally, over time decreasing resting state connectivity of brainstem and sensorimotor cortex due to cold water stimulation was found.
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