Effects of thermal pain stimulus on EEG

Experiments were carried out on conscious rabbits with electrodes chronically implanted into sensorimotor cortex (MSC), ventro-postero-lateral thalamic nuclei (NVPL), periaqueductal grey matter (PAG) and midbrain reticular formation (MRF). Thermal pain stimulus (52 degrees C) lasted 10 s and was applied to the forepaw of the animal. Analysis of bioelectrical activity (20 sec periods) before and after the stimulation was performed by means of automatic methods using the algorithm of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). It was found that pain stimulation resulted in a characteristic response in every studied structure and that this response was blocked by morphine.