Effect of nociceptive stimulation of signal transmission from low-threshold cutaneous afferents in the somatosensory system

1982 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 444-448
Author(s):  
L. M. Smolin
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transmission ◽  
Somatosensory System ◽  
Cutaneous Afferents ◽  
Nociceptive Stimulation ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Stimulation Of

The reflex effects of nonnoxious sural nerve stimulation on human triceps surae motor neurons

1994 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1897-1906 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Kukulka
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Sural Nerve ◽  
Short Latency ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Reflex Response ◽  
Cutaneous Afferents ◽  
Onset Latency ◽  
Human Triceps Surae ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. The effects of low-intensity electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral sural nerve on the reflex response of human triceps surae motor neurons were examined in 169 motor units recorded in 11 adult volunteers: 69 units from soleus (SOL), 48 units from lateral gastrocnemius (LG), and 52 units from medial gastrocnemius (MG). The reflex effects were assessed by the peristimulus time histogram (PSTH) technique, categorized according to onset latencies, and the magnitudes of effects were calculated as percent changes in baseline firing rates. 2. Sural stimulation evoked complex changes in motor-unit firing at onset latencies between 28 and 140 ms. The two most common responses seen in all muscles were a short-latency depression (D1) in firing (mean onset latency = 40 ms) in 42% of all units studied and a secondary enhancement (E2) in firing (mean onset latency = 72 ms) in 43% of all units. In LG, the D1 effect represented a mean decrease in firing of 52% which was statistically different from the changes in MG (42% decrease) and SOL (38% decrease). The magnitudes of E2 effects were similar across muscles with an average of 47% increase in firing. 3. No differences were found in the frequencies of occurrence for the enhancements in firing among the muscles studied. The main difference in reflex responses was the occurrence of an intermediate latency depression (D2) in 27% of the LG units with a mean onset latency of 72 ms. 4. Based on estimates of conduction times for activation of low-threshold cutaneous afferents, the short-latency D1 response likely represents an oligosynaptic spinal reflex with transmission times similar to the Ia reciprocal inhibitory pathway. These findings raise the question as to the possibility of low-threshold cutaneous afferents sharing common interneurons with low-threshold muscle afferent reflexes that have identical onset latencies. The complex reflex effects associated with low-level stimulation of a cutaneous nerve indicate a rich assortment of peripheral responses that may influence a given movement. The predominance of a specific effect is most likely determined by the interaction of this input with other peripheral signals and descending commands specific to a given motor task.

A kinematic and electromyographic study of cutaneous reflexes evoked from the forelimb of unrestrained walking cats

1987 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 1160-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Drew ◽  
S. Rossignol
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Short Latency ◽  
Cutaneous Afferents ◽  
Mechanical Obstruction ◽  
Locomotor Rhythm ◽  
Cutaneous Reflex ◽  
Extensor Muscles ◽  
Flexor Muscles ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Stimulation Of

A kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) analysis was undertaken of the responses evoked in the forelimb of the cat by either mechanical obstruction of the forelimb during the swing phase of locomotion or by electrical stimulation of low-threshold cutaneous afferents during both swing and stance. Mechanical obstruction of the forelimb with a stiff metal rod evoked a complex response that allowed the cat to smoothly negotiate the obstacle without undue disruption of the overall locomotor rhythm. The initial movements were a flexion of the shoulder, together with a locking of the elbow joint, and a dorsiflexion of the wrist, which caused the limb to withdraw from the obstacle. They were followed by an extension of the shoulder, a flexion of the elbow, and a ventroflexion of the wrist, which together brought the limb forward and above the obstacle. The associated and complex pattern of short- and long-latency EMG responses was shown to be related to different aspects of the movement. At the shoulder there was a strong activation of flexor muscles; these responses were of long duration (greater than or equal to 100 ms) and generally lasted throughout the period of shoulder flexion. At the elbow, both flexor and extensor muscles were activated at short latency (9-13 ms). In flexors, this was followed by a cessation and subsequently an augmentation and prolongation of their activity. Dorsiflexors of both the wrist and digits were activated at short latency (10-12 ms) and remained active throughout the period of dorsiflexion of these joints. An injection of a local anesthetic into the area of skin contacted by the metal rod reduced or abolished all of the reflex responses, which suggests that the integrity of cutaneous reflex pathways is essential for the elaboration of these responses. Electrical stimulation of a cutaneous nerve innervating the distal forelimb (the superficial radial nerve) resulted in qualitatively similar, although weaker, responses to those obtained with the mechanical stimulation. Terminal experiments confirmed that these responses were mediated by low-threshold cutaneous afferents. Electrical stimulation also evoked short-latency excitatory responses (10-12 ms) in extensor muscles of the elbow. Generally, the largest reflex effects were obtained during the period of swing for flexor, extensor, and bifunctional muscles. During stance the stimulus was normally ineffective in exciting flexor muscles and in extensors evoked a short-latency inhibition, which was frequently followed by an increase in activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Intracellular records of the effects of primary afferent input in lumbar spinoreticular tract neurons in the cat

1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 1791-1800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Sahara ◽  
Y. K. Xie ◽  
G. J. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Afferent Input ◽  
Cutaneous Afferents ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential ◽  
Large Component ◽  
Primary Afferent ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Wdr Neurons ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. The afferent-evoked synaptic input to lumbar spinal cord (L5-S1) neurons that were activated antidromically from the medial pontomedullary reticular formation (nucleus reticularis gigantocelluaris and vicinity) was investigated with the use of intracellular recordings in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized cats. 2. Spinoreticular tract (SRT) neurons (n = 33) were categorized into three types (“deep-inhibited,” “deep-complex,” and “intermediate”) on the basis of their locations and of their responses to natural and electrical stimulation. 3. The deep-inhibited-type neurons, located in the medial part of the deeper laminae (approximately VI-VIII), comprised a large component of the sample (20/33). They had no demonstrable excitatory receptive field (RF). However, electrical stimulation of low-threshold cutaneous afferents of hindlimb nerves evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) via an oligosynaptic linkage. High-threshold cutaneous and muscle afferents also evoked IPSPs. 4. In the deep-complex-type neurons (8/33), electrical stimulation of low-threshold cutaneous afferents evoked complex IPSP-excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) sequences. With intense stimuli, long-latency C-fiber-like EPSPs were evoked. Two of these eight neurons were characterized as wide-dynamic-range (WDR) neurons with large, excitatory and inhibitory cutaneous RFs. 5. Intermediate-type neurons (5/33) were concentrated in the lateral spinal gray and relatively superficially (approximately lamina V). These neurons had convergent low- and high-threshold cutaneous inputs (WDR neurons). Electrical stimulation of low-threshold cutaneous afferent fibers from within the excitatory RF evoked mono- or disynaptic EPSPs followed by IPSPs. High-threshold muscle and cutaneous afferents also evoked EPSPs. 6. These results show that SRT neurons have a variety of response characteristics resulting from various degrees of spatial and temporal summation of primary afferent input. Neurons with widespread inhibitory responses but no excitatory drive from the periphery comprise a surprisingly large component of the SRT: the function of these cells is unknown. It is apparent that the spinoreticular projection has considerable functional heterogeneity.

Rescue of neuronal function by cross-regeneration of cutaneous afferents into muscle in cats

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Nishimura ◽  
R. D. Johnson ◽  
J. B. Munson
Keyword(s):  
Sural Nerve ◽  
Sensory Nerve ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Medial Gastrocnemius ◽  
Cutaneous Afferents ◽  
Postsynaptic Potentials ◽  
Initial Surgery ◽  
Peripheral Innervation ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. This study investigates the relation between the peripheral innervation of low-threshold cutaneous afferents and the postsynaptic potentials elicited by electrical stimulation of those afferents. 2. In cats deeply anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium, cord dorsum potentials (CDPs) and postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) in spinal motoneurons were elicited by stimulation of the caudal cutaneous sural nerve (CCS), the lateral cutaneous sural nerve (LCS), and the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle nerve. We tested 1) unoperated cats, and cats in which CCS has been 2) chronically axotomized and ligated, 3) cut and self-reunited, 4) cut and cross-united with LCS, or 5) cut and cross-united with the MG. Terminal experiments were performed 3-36 mo after initial surgery. 3. In cats in which the CCS had been self-reunited or cross-united distally with LCS, tactile stimulation of the hairy skin normally innervated by the distal nerve activated afferents in the CCS central to the coaptation, indicating that former CCS afferents had regenerated into native or foreign skin, respectively. 4. In cats in which the CCS had been cross-united distally with the MG, both stretch and contraction of the MG muscle activated the former CCS afferents. 5. In unoperated cats, CDPs elicited by stimulation of CCS and of LCS exhibited a low-threshold N1 wave and a higher-threshold N2 wave. These waves were greatly delayed and appeared to merge after chronic axotomy of CCS. Regeneration of CCS into itself, into LCS, or into MG restored the normal latencies and configurations of these potentials. 6. In unoperated cats, stimulation of CCS, of LCS, and of MG each produced PSPs of characteristic configurations in the various subpopulations of motoneurons of the triceps surae. CDPs and PSPs elicited by the CCS cross-regenerated into LCS or MG were typical of those generated by the normal CCS, i.e., there was no evidence of respecification of central synaptic connections to bring accord between center and periphery after cross-regeneration. 7. Chronic axotomy of CCS increased the latencies of PSPs from CCS; regeneration of CCS into the CCS, LCS, or MG restored normal latencies. 8. In summary, CDPs and PSPs in motoneurons from the cutaneous sensory nerve CCS are altered by chronic axotomy of CCS, thus indicating their target dependency. These alterations are restored by regeneration of CCS into not only a native or foreign cutaneous target, but also into skeletal muscle. We conclude that muscle as well as skin is capable of providing trophic support for cutaneous afferents.

Responses of neurons in rostral ventromedial medulla to nociceptive stimulation of craniofacial region and tail in rats

2021 ◽  
pp. 147539
Author(s):  
Jing-Shi Tang ◽  
Chen Yu Chiang ◽  
Jonathan O. Dostrovsky ◽  
Dongyuan Yao ◽  
Barry J. Sessle
Keyword(s):  
Rostral Ventromedial Medulla ◽  
Nociceptive Stimulation ◽  
Ventromedial Medulla ◽  
Stimulation Of

Induction of muscle cramps by nociceptive stimulation of latent myofascial trigger points

2008 ◽  
Vol 187 (4) ◽  
pp. 623-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-You Ge ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Shellie Boudreau ◽  
Shou-Wei Yue ◽  
Lars Arendt-Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Trigger Points ◽  
Nociceptive Stimulation ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Muscle Cramps ◽  
Stimulation Of

Properties of a T-Type Ca2+Channel–Activated Slow Afterhyperpolarization in Thalamic Paraventricular Nucleus and Other Thalamic Midline Neurons

2009 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 2741-2750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Zhang ◽  
Leo P. Renaud ◽  
Miloslav Kolaj
Keyword(s):  
Information Transfer ◽  
Brain Slice ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Thalamic Neurons ◽  
Adrenoceptor Agonist ◽  
Report Data ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Rat Brain Slice ◽  
Stimulation Of

Burst firing mediated by a low-threshold spike (LTS) is the hallmark of many thalamic neurons. However, postburst afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs) are relatively uncommon in thalamus. We now report data from patch-clamp recordings in rat brain slice preparations that reveal an LTS-induced slow AHP (sAHP) in thalamic paraventricular (PVT) and other midline neurons, but not in ventrobasal or reticular thalamic neurons. The LTS-induced sAHP lasts 8.9 ± 0.4 s and has a novel pharmacology, with resistance to tetrodotoxin and cadmium and reduction by Ni2+ or nominally zero extracellular calcium concentration, which also attenuate both the LTS and sAHP. The sAHP is inhibited by 10 mM intracellular EGTA or by equimolar replacement of extracellular Ca2+ with Sr2+, consistent with select activation of LVA T-type Ca2+ channels and subsequent Ca2+ influx. In control media, the sAHP reverses near EK+, shifting to −78 mV in 10.1 mM [K+]o and is reduced by Ba2+ or tetraethylammonium. Although these data are consistent with opening of Ca2+-activated K+ channels, this sAHP lacks sensitivity to specific Ca2+-activated K+ channel blockers apamin, iberiotoxin, charybdotoxin, and UCL-2077. The LTS-induced sAHP is suppressed by a β-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol, a serotonin 5-HT7 receptor agonist 5-CT, a neuropeptide orexin-A, and by stimulation of the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway with 8-Br-cAMP and forskolin. The data suggest that PVT and certain midline thalamic neurons possess an LTS-induced sAHP that is pharmacologically distinct and may be important for information transfer in thalamic–limbic circuitry during states of attentiveness and motivation.

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