Neuronal activities in ventrobasal complex of thalamus and in trigeminal main sensory nucleus during EEG...

Activities of somatosensory relay neurons responding to orofacial mechanical stimulation were examined in the ventrobasal complex of the thalamus (VB) and in the trigeminal main sensory nucleus (MSN) during EEG desynchronization in urethane-anesthetized rats. EEG desynchronization was induced by scrotal warming in a temperature range of 35-40 degrees C. Responses of most VB neurons to receptive-field stimulation were augmented during EEG desynchronization, when compared to responses during synchronization. Spontaneous activity of VB neurons also increased with EEG desynchronization. Responses of MSN neurons to receptive-field stimulation did not change appreciably when the EEG pattern was altered. If a VB neuron was induced by iontophoretic application of glutamate to fire at the same rate as seen during EEG desynchronization, a similar increased response to receptive-field stimuli was also observed. The augmented response of the VB neuron during desynchronization may thus have resulted from increased excitability of the neuron itself.