AB097. Conduction block of mammalian myelinated nerve by local cooling to 15–30 °C after a brief heating

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed at understanding thermal effects on nerve conduction and developing new methods to produce a reversible thermal block of axonal conduction in mammalian myelinated nerves.MethodsIn 13 cats, conduction block of pudendal nerves by cooling (5–30 °C) or heating (42–54 °C) a small segment of the nerve was monitored by the urethral striated muscle contractions and increases in intraurethral pressure induced by intermittent electrical stimulation of the nerve.ResultsCold block was observed at 5–15 °C while heat block occurred at 50–54 °C. Cold block was fully reversible, but only brief complete heat block was reversible. A brief reversible complete heat block at 50–54 °C significantly increased the cold block temperature to 15–30 °C.ConclusionsThis study discovered a novel method to block mammalian myelinated nerves at 15–30 °C, providing the possibility to develop an implantable device to block axonal conduction and treat many chronic diseases.