Visceral and cutaneous pain representation in parasylvian cortex

摘要: The ability to localize both touch and pain has been attributed mainly the primary somatosensory cortex (S1), based on its fine somatotopic mapping of tactile inputs. Recently, S1 also implicated in differentiation noxious stimulation, such as distinguishing between arising from viscera skin. Recent MEG fMRI studies show that there is at least a rudimentary topographic representation supra-sylvian [encompassing secondary area (S2)], suggesting this may contribute localization. Nevertheless, role region localization or various types not clearly established. Healthy subjects (four males, three females) underwent fMRI-scanning (1.5 T, standard head coil, BOLD analysis) during painful balloon distention distal esophagus heat midline chest zone referred for esophageal stimulation. Five seven exhibited significant activation parasylvian experimental conditions, each these five related was represented more laterally within than associated with cutaneous trunk (paired t-test, p's < 0.01). Our results suggest segregation visceral afferents cortex, possibly implicating perceptual pain.