Chapter 12 Investigation of brainstem: descending pain modulation in animals and humans

摘要: Publisher Summary Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNICs) depend on a supraspinal circuitry integrated in the caudal medulla. In humans, spinal nociceptive flexion (RIII) reflex, whose threshold and amplitude are closely related to those of subjective pain perception, is inhibited an intensity-dependent manner by heterotopic painful stimuli. On basis this methodology, which allows complementary experiments be performed animals it has been demonstrated both rats humans that DNICs sustained anatomical spino-bulbo-spinal loop with ascending part located anterolateral quadrant cord. The chapter discusses series animal models inflammatory or neuropathic patients chronic pain. data indicate tonic phasic descending systems exhibit functional plasticity during development presents rat monoarthritis ankle induced intraarticular injection complete Freund adjuvant (CFA). These developed circumscribed inflammation associated hyperalgesia movement pressure applied inflamed articulation can last several weeks. One major advantage model direct comparison between normal arthritic ankle. Tonic-descending were analyzed, at acute stages inflammation, comparing electrophysiological properties lumbar wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons input before after transection cord cervical level.