Effect of high-frequency peripheral nerve and dorsal column stimulation on neuronal responses in feline nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis after nociceptive electrical stimulation

Abstract

High-frequency peripheral nerve and dorsal column stimulation have been used clinically to alleviate chronic pain in human patients. However, the mechanisms underlying the analgesic effect of these procedures have not yet been clearly elucidated. The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of high-frequency dorsal column and peripheral nerve stimulation on neuronal responses in feline nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis after nociceptive stimulation. Whereas dorsal column stimulation had little effect on neuronal responses, high-frequency stimulation of one branch of a divided peripheral nerve typically abolished neuronal responses to stimulation of the other branch of the divided nerve. Similarly, high-frequency stimulation of a contralateral canine tooth pulp abolished the neuronal responses to test stimulation of the ipsilatral canine tooth pulp. Of special significance was the finding that high-frequency stimulation interfered with sensory transmission for periods up to at least 6 hours in duration. These findings have implications for the clinical control of intractable pain and for the role of small-diameter afferents.