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Somatosensory Event-related Potentials from Orofacial Skin Stretch Stimulation
Published on: December 18, 2015
Craniofacial inputs to upper cervical dorsal horn: implications for somatosensory information processing
1Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1G6, Canada. james.hu@utoronto.ca
Brain Research
|May 3, 2005
Summary
This study characterizes somatosensory neurons in the upper cervical spinal dorsal horns (C1 and C2 DHs), revealing their role in processing craniofacial and neck pain alongside the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Somatosensory System Research
- Spinal Cord Neurobiology
Background:
- The rostral subnucleus caudalis (rVc) processes craniofacial sensory information.
- Understanding the function of upper cervical spinal dorsal horns (C1 and C2 DHs) is crucial for pain mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize somatosensory neuron properties in C1 and C2 DHs.
- To compare C1/C2 DH neurons with those in the rVc.
- To investigate the functional integration of rVc and upper cervical DHs.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings in urethane/chloralose-anesthetized rats.
- Classification of neurons into wide-dynamic-range (WDR), nociceptive-specific (NS), and low-threshold mechanoreceptive (LTM) types.
- Mapping of neuronal receptive fields (RFs) and responses to electrical nerve stimulation.
Main Results:
- LTM neurons in C1/C2 DHs primarily innervated the face and neck.
- Nociceptive neurons in C1/C2 DHs received convergent inputs from craniofacial and cervical deep tissues.
- A caudal shift in RFs was observed from rVc to C1/C2 DHs.
- Over 50% of C1/C2 DH nociceptive neurons responded to hypoglossal nerve stimulation.
Conclusions:
- C1 and C2 DHs function as a caudal extension of the rVc.
- The rVc and C1/C2 DHs likely form a functional unit for processing craniofacial and cervical pain.
- This integration is vital for understanding deep craniofacial and neck pain.
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