Abstract
We have published several reports on long-term potentiation (LTP) in single spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons (responding to both innocuous and noxious stimuli) in urethane-anaesthetised rats. The protocol presented here, with single unit recordings of dorsal horn neurons before and after a nociceptive conditioning stimulation, may be useful in many electrophysiological studies of plastic changes in the spinal cord, such as LTP. We invite others to use this protocol for the study of spinal plasticity. Findings using this technique may be relevant for the understanding of changes in nociceptive transmission, induction of central sensitisation and maybe even in mechanisms of pathological pain and chronic pain states. We describe modified and alternative protocols for the study of LTP mechanisms under different conditions in intact and in spinalised animals, and after natural noxious stimuli. We present a novel method minimising peripheral influence of afferent input induced by antidromic neurogenic inflammation or inflammatory changes following a natural noxious stimulation. This is made possible by dissection of the sciatic nerve at two separate locations and local anaesthetic block distal to the stimulation site. Themes: Sensory systems Topics: Spinal cord
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.