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Spinal Cord Electrophysiology
Published on: January 18, 2010
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Dynamic synchronization of ongoing neuronal activity across spinal segments regulates sensory information flow
E Contreras-Hernández1, D Chávez1, P Rudomin1,2
1Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Neurosciences, Center of Research and Advanced Studies of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México.
The Journal of Physiology
|February 6, 2015
Summary
Spinal cord dorsal horn neurons differentially modulate sensory pathways. Increased neuronal synchronization correlates with enhanced presynaptic inhibition over Ib postsynaptic inhibition, suggesting flexible network control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Spinal Cord Physiology
- Sensory Processing
Background:
- Previous studies indicated dorsal horn neurons modulate sensory transmission pathways differentially.
- These pathways include Ib non-reciprocal postsynaptic inhibition and primary afferent depolarization/presynaptic inhibition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neuronal mechanisms underlying differential modulation of sensory pathways.
- To measure correlations between dorsal horn neuronal activity and cord dorsum potentials during inhibitory pathway activation.
Main Methods:
- Recorded spontaneous activity of individual dorsal horn neurons in anesthetized cats.
- Measured cord dorsum potentials associated with intermittent activation of inhibitory pathways.
- Analyzed correlations between neuronal activity and cord dorsum potentials.
Main Results:
- High levels of neuronal synchronization in the dorsal horn were observed.
- Synchronization correlated with increased activity in presynaptic inhibition pathways relative to Ib postsynaptic inhibition pathways.
- Functional connectivity changes within dorsal horn neuronal ensembles were identified.
Conclusions:
- Ongoing changes in functional connectivity within dorsal horn neuronal ensembles modulate impulse transmission along inhibitory pathways.
- These mechanisms are involved in the central control of sensory information.
- Flexible functional task involvement by the same neuronal network is suggested.
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