The Open Pain Journal
2018, 11 : 31-40Published online 2018 December 31. DOI: 10.2174/1876386301811010031
Publisher ID: TOPAINJ-11-31
REVIEW ARTICLE
Pain and Decision-Making: Interrelated Through Homeostasis
Department of Psychology, The University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019-0528, USA
* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, 313 Life Science Building, Box 19528, 501 S. Nedderman Drive, Arlington, TX 76019-0528, USA; Tel: + 1 817 272 2281; Fax: (817) 272 2364; E-mail: .fuchs@uta.edu
* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington, 313 Life Science Building, Box 19528, 501 S. Nedderman Drive, Arlington, TX 76019-0528, USA; Tel: + 1 817 272 2281; Fax: (817) 272 2364; E-mail: .fuchs@uta.edu
ABSTRACT
Background:
Pain is a multidimensional experience that motivates organisms to engage in behavioral repertoire to deal with potential life-threatening situations that are a threat to homeostatic function. The aim of this mini-review was to highlight the nature of pain, the role that pain has as a motivational drive to impact higher-order cognitive processes, such as decision making, and how these processes are intimately integrated with homeostatic mechanisms.
Conclusion:
Both conceptual and neurobiological overlap suggest a close interaction of decision-making, pain, and homeostasis. Pain, decision-making and homeostasis are interconnected through a common denominator of survival and must be considered when assessing pain-related issues and treatments.