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Intranasal trigeminal sensitivity in subjects with allergic rhinitis
H Doerfler1, T Hummel, L Klimek
1Department of Gastroenterology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Summary
Allergic rhinitis alters trigeminal nerve sensitivity. Allergen exposure shortened chemo-somatosensory event-related potential (ERP) latencies, correlating with symptom severity, suggesting ERPs may predict allergic responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Trigeminal nerve endings in the nasal mucosa respond to various stimuli.
- Chemo-somatosensory event-related potentials (ERPs) quantify trigeminal nerve activation.
- Allergic rhinitis involves inflammation and altered sensory perception in the nasal cavity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in trigeminal nerve responsiveness to intranasal stimulation in allergic rhinitis patients.
- To determine if allergen exposure affects chemo-somatosensory ERPs.
- To correlate ERP changes with reported rhinitis symptoms.
Main Methods:
- 13 subjects with allergic rhinitis underwent intranasal CO(2) stimulation in three sessions: baseline, after NaCl, and after allergen.
- Chemo-somatosensory ERPs were recorded.
- Subjects rated rhinitis symptom intensity.
Main Results:
- Allergen administration significantly shortened P1 and N1 peak latencies of chemo-somatosensory ERPs.
- ERP latency changes correlated with reported rhinitis symptom intensity.
- A negative relationship was observed between general symptom score and ERP latencies.
Conclusions:
- Allergen-induced nasal itching and sneezing in allergic rhinitis are linked to trigeminal nerve activation via local inflammation.
- Chemo-somatosensory ERP latencies may predict subject responsiveness to allergens.
- ERPs offer a quantifiable measure of trigeminal nerve involvement in allergic rhinitis.