Maturational changes in the thermoalgesic system in humans from childhood to adulthood revealed by CO 2 laser evoked brain potentials following cutaneous heat stimuli

Abstract

Possible maturational changes in the thermoalgesic system were studied by reaction times (RT) and late (Adelta-fibre) laser evoked potentials (LEPs) following CO 2 laser heat stimulation of the hand in healthy children ( n=12) and young adults ( n=12). In children (10±2 years) LEPs presented a negative-positive complex with maximum amplitude (peak-to-peak 71±35 μV) at the vertex and latencies of 248±82 and 433±104 ms, respectively. As compared to adults (24±3 years), children had a significant increased peak-to-peak amplitude (+25.7μV; P=0.03) although no difference in latencies and topography. Median RT (710 ms) was also significantly increased (+312 ms; P<0.005) in children. A decrease in RT and late LEP amplitude from childhood to adulthood may reflect aspects of maturation in sensory processing of the thermoalgesic system.