Cardiac effects produced by long-term stimulation of thoracic autonomic ganglia or nerves: implications for interneuronal interactions within the thoracic autonomic nervous system

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Butler ◽  
W. M. Watson-Wright ◽  
M. Wilkinson ◽  
D. E. Johnstone ◽  
J. A. Armour

Electrical stimulation of an acutely decentralized stellate or middle cervical ganglion or cardiopulmonary nerve augments cardiac chronotropism or inotropism; as the stimulation continues there is a gradual reduction of this augmentation following the peak response, i.e., an inhibition of augmentation. The amount of this inhibition was found to be dependent upon the region of the heart investigated and the neural structure stimulated. The cardiac parameters which were augmented the most displayed the greatest inhibition. Maximum augmentation or inhibition occurred, in most instances, when 5–20 Hz stimuli were used. Inhibition of augmentation was overcome when the stimulation frequency was subsequently increased or following the administration of nicotine or tyramine, indicating that the inhibition was not primarily due to the lack of availability of noradrenaline in the nerve terminals of the efferent postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Furthermore, as infusions of isoproterenol or noradrenaline during the period of inhibition could still augment cardiac responses, whereas during the early peak responses they did not, the inhibition of augmentation does not appear to be due primarily to down regulation of cardiac myocyte β-adrenergic receptors. The inhibition was modified by hexamethonium but not by phentolamine or atropine. Inhibition occurred when all ipsilateral cardiopulmonary nerves connected with acutely decentralized middle cervical and stellate ganglia were stimulated, whereas significant inhibition did not occur when these nerves were stimulated after they had been disconnected from the ipsilateral decentralized ganglia. Taken together these data indicate that the inhibition of cardiac augmentation which occurs during relatively long-term stimulation of intrathoracic sympathetic neural elements is due in large part to nicotinic cholinergic synaptic mechanisms that lie primarily in the major thoracic autonomic ganglia. They also indicate that long-term stimulation in intrathoracic sympathetic neural elements with frequencies as low as 2 Hz may augment the heart as much as higher stimulation frequencies, depending upon the structure stimulated and the cardiovascular parameter monitored.

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 714-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Armour

Electrical stimulation of the afferent components in one cardiopulmonary nerve (the left vagosympathetic complex at a level immediately caudal to the origin of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve) in acutely decentralized thoracic autonomic ganglionic preparations altered cardiac chronotropism and inotropism in 17 of 44 dogs. Since these neural preparations were acutely decentralized, the effects were mediated presumably via intrathoracic autonomic reflexes. The lack of consistency of these reflexly generated cardiac responses presumably were due in part to anatomical variation of afferent axons in the afferent nerve stimulated. As stimulation of the afferent components in the same neural structure caudal to the heart (where cardiopulmonary afferent axons are not present) failed to elicit cardiac responses in any dog, it is presumed that when cardiac responses were elicited by the more cranially located stimulations, these were due to activation of afferent axons arising from the heart and (or) lungs. When cardiac responses were elicited, intramyocardial pressures in the right ventricular conus as well as the ventral and lateral walls of the left ventricle were augmented. Either bradycardia or tachycardia was elicited. Following hexamethonium administration no responses were produced, demonstrating that nicotonic cholinergic synaptic mechanisms were involved in these intrathoracic cardiopulmonary–cardiac reflexes. In six of the animals, when atropine was administered before hexamethonium, reflexly generated responses were attenuated. The same thing occurred when morphine was administered in four animals. In contrast, in four animals following administration of phentolamine, the reflexly generated changes were enhanced. As electrical excitation of afferent axons in one cardiopulmonary nerve of an acutely decentralized preparation can alter cardiac chronotropism and (or) inotropism, it is concluded that intrathoracic autonomic neuronal mechanisms exist which can modify heart rate and contractility in the absence of influences from central nervous system neurons. Furthermore, it appears that intrathoracic cardiopulmonary–cardiac reflexes capable of modifying the heart utilize a number of different synaptic mechanisms.


1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (S1) ◽  
pp. S27-S31 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bachoo ◽  
C. Polosa

A stimulus train to preganglionic axons produces long-term potentiation (LTP) of population responses of sympathetic ganglion cells evoked by the same or by other converging axons. The present study shows that preganglionic axons emerging from the spinal cord in different thoracic rami, and converging onto a common pool of ganglion cells that innervate a single target, differ in their ability to induce LTP. In anesthetized cats under partial nicotinic block with hexamethonium, the nictitating-membrane (NM) contraction evoked by stimulation of the first (T1) and third (T3) thoracic white rami (WR) was recorded. Each ramus produced a contraction of similar amplitude. In contrast, the homosynaptic potentiation produced by a 40-Hz 10-s train differed markedly. T1WR produced a potentiation of duration comparable to that produced by stimulation of the cervical sympathetic trunk, while T3WR produced either no potentiation or a potentiation of much shorter duration. The NM response evoked by T3WR, however, was potentiated by similar extent and duration as was the response evoked by T1WR when the train was applied to T1WR (heterosynaptic LTP). This suggests that the ganglionic synapses made by T3WR possess the mechanism for expressing LTP. Conversely, T3WR was ineffective at potentiating heterosynaptically the NM response evoked by T1WR. These results suggest that the ability to produce or release the LTP inducer varies markedly among sympathetic preganglionic neurons.Key words: preganglionic neuron heterogeneity, long-term potentiation induction, synaptic transmission, neuropeptides.


1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (2) ◽  
pp. C447-C454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane McHowat ◽  
Michael H. Creer

Activation of phospholipase A2(PLA2) and accumulation of lysophosphatidylcholine contribute importantly to arrhythmogenesis during acute myocardial ischemia. We examined thrombin stimulation of PLA2 activity in isolated ventricular myocytes. Basal and thrombin-stimulated cardiac myocyte PLA2 activity demonstrated a distinct preference for sn-1 ether-linked phospholipids with arachidonate esterified at the sn-2 position. The majority of PLA2 activity was calcium independent and membrane associated. Thrombin stimulation of membrane-associated PLA2 occurs in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. An increase in PLA2 activity was also observed using the synthetic peptide SFLLRNPNDKYEPF (the tethered ligand generated by thrombin cleavage of its receptor). Bromoenol lactone, a selective inhibitor of calcium-independent PLA2, completely blocked thrombin-stimulated increases in PLA2 activity and arachidonic acid release. No significant inhibition of thrombin-induced PLA2 was observed following pretreatment with mepacrine or dibucaine. These data confirm the presence of high-affinity thrombin receptors on isolated cardiac myocytes and demonstrate the specific activation of a unique membrane-associated, calcium-independent PLA2 following thrombin receptor ligation.


Author(s):  
E. B. Masurovsky ◽  
H. H. Benitez ◽  
M. R. Murray

Recent light- and electron microscope studies concerned with the effects of D2O on the development of chick sympathetic ganglia in long-term, organized culture revealed the presence of rod-like fibrillar formations, and associated granulofibrillar bodies, in the nuclei of control and deuterated neurons. Similar fibrillar formations have been reported in the nuclei of certain mammalian CNS neurons; however, related granulofibrillar bodies have not been previously described. Both kinds of intranuclear structures are observed in cultures fixed either in veronal acetate-buffered 2%OsO4 (pH 7. 4), or in 3.5% glutaraldehyde followed by post-osmication. Thin sections from such Epon-embedded cultures were stained with ethanolic uranyl acetate and basic lead citrate for viewing in the electron microscope.


2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 830-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Franzini ◽  
Giuseppe Messina ◽  
Vincenzo Levi ◽  
Antonio D’Ammando ◽  
Roberto Cordella ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVECentral poststroke neuropathic pain is a debilitating syndrome that is often resistant to medical therapies. Surgical measures include motor cortex stimulation and deep brain stimulation (DBS), which have been used to relieve pain. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the safety and long-term efficacy of DBS of the posterior limb of the internal capsule for relieving central poststroke neuropathic pain and associated spasticity affecting the lower limb.METHODSClinical and surgical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed in all patients who had undergone DBS of the posterior limb of the internal capsule to address central poststroke neuropathic pain refractory to conservative measures. In addition, long-term pain intensity and level of satisfaction gained from stimulation were assessed. Pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS). Information on gait improvement was obtained from medical records, neurological examination, and interview.RESULTSFour patients have undergone the procedure since 2001. No mortality or morbidity related to the surgery was recorded. In three patients, stimulation of the posterior limb of the internal capsule resulted in long-term pain relief; in a fourth patient, the procedure failed to produce any long-lasting positive effect. Two patients obtained a reduction in spasticity and improved motor capability. Before surgery, the mean VAS score was 9 (range 8–10). In the immediate postoperative period and within 1 week after the DBS system had been turned on, the mean VAS score was significantly lower at a mean of 3 (range 0–6). After a mean follow-up of 5.88 years, the mean VAS score was still reduced at 5.5 (range 3–8). The mean percentage of long-term pain reduction was 38.13%.CONCLUSIONSThis series suggests that stimulation of the posterior limb of the internal capsule is safe and effective in treating patients with chronic neuropathic pain affecting the lower limb. The procedure may be a more targeted treatment method than motor cortex stimulation or other neuromodulation techniques in the subset of patients whose pain and spasticity are referred to the lower limbs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Lavrov ◽  
Timur Latypov ◽  
Elvira Mukhametova ◽  
Brian Lundstrom ◽  
Paola Sandroni ◽  
...  

AbstractElectrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex (ESCC) has been used to treat intractable neuropathic pain for nearly two decades, however, no standardized approach for this technique has been developed. In order to optimize targeting and validate the effect of ESCC before placing the permanent grid, we introduced initial assessment with trial stimulation, using a temporary grid of subdural electrodes. In this retrospective study we evaluate the role of electrode location on cerebral cortex in control of neuropathic pain and the role of trial stimulation in target-optimization for ESCC. Location of the temporary grid electrodes and location of permanent electrodes were evaluated in correlation with the long-term efficacy of ESCC. The results of this study demonstrate that the long-term effect of subdural pre-motor cortex stimulation is at least the same or higher compare to effect of subdural motor or combined pre-motor and motor cortex stimulation. These results also demonstrate that the initial trial stimulation helps to optimize permanent electrode positions in relation to the optimal functional target that is critical in cases when brain shift is expected. Proposed methodology and novel results open a new direction for development of neuromodulation techniques to control chronic neuropathic pain.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Michihiro Osumi ◽  
Daisuke Shimizu ◽  
Yuki Nishi ◽  
Shu Morioka

Background: Patients with brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) usually experience phantom sensations and phantom limb pain (PLP) in the deafferented limb. It has been suggested that evoking the sensation of touch in the deafferented limb by stimulating referred sensation areas (RSAs) on the cheek or shoulder might alleviate PLP. However, feasible rehabilitation techniques using this approach have not been reported. Objective: The present study sought to examine the analgesic effects of simple electrical stimulation of RSAs in BPA patients with PLP. Methods: Study 1: Electrical stimulation of RSAs for 60 minutes was conducted for six BPA patients suffering from PLP to examine short-term analgesic effects. Study 2: A single case design experiment was conducted with two BPA patients to investigate whether electrical stimulation of RSAs was more effective for alleviating PLP than control electrical stimulation (electrical stimulation of sites on side opposite to the RSAs), and to elucidate the long-term effects of electrical stimulation of RSAs. Results: Study 1: Electrical stimulation of RSAs evoked phantom touch sensations in the deafferented limb, and significantly alleviated PLP (p <  0.05). Study 2: PLP was alleviated more after electrical stimulation on RSAs compared with control electrical stimulation (p <  0.05). However, the analgesic effects of electrical stimulation on RSAs were observed only in the short term, not in the long term (p >  0.05). Conclusions: Electrical stimulation of RSAs not only evoked phantom touch sensation but also alleviated PLP in the short term. The results indicate that electrical stimulation of RSAs may provide a useful practical rehabilitation technique for PLP. Future studies will be required to clarify the mechanisms underlying immediate PLP alleviation via electrical stimulation of RSAs.


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