Neurophysiological characterization of the anterolateral quadrant neurons subserving pain in M. mulatta

An electrophysiological analysis has been made of 82 L7 dorsal horn neurons antidromically activated from the contralateral C1 anterolateral quadrant (ALQ) of unanesthetized rhesus monkeys (bilateral carotid ligation). This analysis was made to compare refractory periods and antidromic activation thresholds with these same parameters of ALQ stimulation required to produce pain in conscious humans. Refractory periods of laminae IV-VI cells that were optimally but not exclusively responsive to noxious skin stimulation ranged from 0.8 to 2.8 msec (m = 1.5) and were briefer than those of lamina I cells. The latter ranged from 1.1 to 10 msec (m = 4.7 msec). Electrical thresholds of laminae IV-VI cells were, in general, much lower than those of lamina I cells. Unlike lamina I cells, refractory periods and electrical thresholds of laminae IV-VI nociceptive neurons closely parallel those of ALQ-evoked pain in man. However, both lamina I and laminae IV-VI neurons usually responded to nociceptive skin temperatures (greater than 43 degrees C). This analysis indicates that pain may be signaled by the combined output of dorsal horn laminae I and IV-VI but that activation of only laminae IV-VI wide dynamic range neurons is sufficient to produce pain.