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Associative learning and memory for an antinociceptive response in the spinalized rat
J W Grau1, J A Salinas, P A Illich
1Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843.
Behavioral Neuroscience
|June 1, 1990
Summary
Spinal cord circuitry can mediate associative and memory-like effects on pain relief. These findings challenge the assumption that forebrain systems are essential for endogenous pain modulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pain research
- Spinal cord function
Background:
- Associative and memorial processes influence endogenous antinociceptive systems.
- Forebrain systems are traditionally considered essential for these modulatory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if associative and memorial processes affecting pain can occur in spinalized rats.
- To determine if spinal cord circuitry alone supports these effects.
Main Methods:
- Spinal transection at the 2nd thoracic vertebrae in rats.
- Establishing conditioned nonopioid antinociception post-transection.
- Assessing the effect of a postshock distractor on shock-induced antinociception.
Main Results:
- Conditioned nonopioid antinociception was successfully established in spinalized rats.
- A postshock distractor accelerated the decay of antinociception in spinalized rats.
Conclusions:
- The spinal cord possesses the necessary circuitry for associative and memory-like effects on pain.
- These findings suggest a greater role for the spinal cord in endogenous pain modulation than previously assumed.