Percutaneous electrical stimulation of sensory nerve fibers to improve motor function: applications in voiding dysfunction

Electrical stimulation of rat sensory nerves produces cutaneous vasodilation and plasma protein extravasation, a phenomenon termed “neurogenic inflammation”. Rat skin on the dorsum of the paw developed neurogenic inflammation after electrical stimulation of the saphenous nerve. In tissue sections, the extravasation of the supravital dye monastral blue B identified permeable vessels. Mast cells were identified by toluidine blue stain. Permeable vessels were significantly more dense in the superficial 120 microns of the dermis than in the deeper dermis, whereas mast cells were significantly more frequent in the deeper dermis. The relationships between nociceptive sensory nerve fibers, permeable vessels, and mast cells were examined by indirect immunohistochemistry for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neurokinin A (NKA), and substance P (SP). CGRP-, NKA-, and SP-containing nerves densely innervated the superficial dermis and appeared to innervate the vessels that became permeable during neurogenic inflammation. In contrast, mast cells were not associated with either permeable vessels or nerve fibers. These data suggest that electrical stimulation of rat sensory nerves produces vascular permeability by inducing the release of neuropeptides that may directly stimulate the superficial vascular bed. Mast cells may not be involved in this stage of cutaneous neurogenic inflammation in rat skin.

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Refractoriness and frequency following behavior in a model of electrical stimulation of mammalian myelinated nerve fibers

Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society ◽

10.1109/iembs.1992.5761835 ◽

1992 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Johan H. M. Frijns ◽

Ruurd Schoonoven

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Nerve Fibers ◽

Myelinated Nerve ◽

Myelinated Nerve Fibers ◽

Stimulation Of

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ATP concentrations and muscle tension increase linearly with muscle contraction

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00185.2003 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 95 (2) ◽

pp. 577-583 ◽

Cited By ~ 92

Author(s):

Jianhua Li ◽

Nicholas C. King ◽

Lawrence I. Sinoway

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Muscle Contraction ◽

Motor Nerve ◽

Muscle Tension ◽

Nerve Fibers ◽

Ventral Root ◽

Ventral Roots ◽

Root Stimulation ◽

Stimulation Of

Previous studies have suggested that activation of ATP-sensitive P2X receptors in skeletal muscle play a role in mediating the exercise pressor reflex (Li J and Sinoway LI. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 283: H2636–H2643, 2002). To determine the role ATP plays in this reflex, it is necessary to examine whether muscle interstitial ATP (ATPi) concentrations rise with muscle contraction. Accordingly, in this study, muscle contraction was evoked by electrical stimulation of the L7 and S1 ventral roots of the spinal cord in 12 decerebrate cats. Muscle ATPi was collected from microdialysis probes inserted in the muscle. ATP concentrations were determined by the HPLC method. Electrical stimulation of the ventral roots at 3 and 5 Hz increased mean arterial pressure by 13 ± 2 and 16 ± 3 mmHg ( P < 0.05), respectively, and it increased ATP concentration in contracting muscle by 150% ( P < 0.05) and 200% ( P < 0.05), respectively. ATP measured in the opposite control limb did not rise with ventral root stimulation. Section of the L7 and S1 dorsal roots did not affect the ATPi seen with 5-Hz ventral root stimulation. Finally, ventral roots stimulation sufficient to drive motor nerve fibers did not increase ATP in previously paralyzed cats. Thus ATPi is not largely released from sympathetic or motor nerves and does not require an intact afferent reflex pathway. We conclude that ATPi is due to the release of ATP from contracting skeletal muscle cells.

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Dactyl Sensory Influences on Rock Lobster Locomotion: II. ROLE IN INTERLEG COORDINATION

Journal of Experimental Biology ◽

10.1242/jeb.148.1.113 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 148 (1) ◽

pp. 113-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

U. W. E. MÜLLER ◽

FRANÇOIS CLARAC

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Sensory Nerve ◽

Movement Pattern ◽

Rock Lobster ◽

Step Cycle ◽

Extreme Position ◽

Walking Pattern ◽

Neuronal Connections ◽

Phase Relationships ◽

Stimulation Of

1. The effects of cyclic electrical stimulation of the dactyl sensory nerve (DN) on the walking pattern of rock lobsters were examined at the two crucial points within the step cycle: the anterior extreme position (AEP) and the posterior extreme position (PEP). 2. Stimulation during the occurrence of the PEP affected neither the movement pattern of the stimulated leg itself nor that of the ipsilateral adjacent legs. 3. Stimulation of the same intensity during the occurrence of the AEP interrupted the oscillation of the stimulated leg and affected the phase relationships of the ipsilateral adjacent legs. 4. The possibility that indirect influences were mediated by coupling to the substratum can be excluded. Neuronal connections may therefore exist between the funnel canal organs (FCO) of a single leg and the motor output of the adjacent legs. The discussion deals with whether the described channels alone are able to fulfil the requirements of a ‘coordinating mechanism’ as described in the literature.

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Rescue of motoneurons from the axotomized state by regeneration into a sensory nerve in cats

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.1991.66.5.1462 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 66 (5) ◽

pp. 1462-1470 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

H. Nishimura ◽

R. D. Johnson ◽

J. B. Munson

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Electrical Properties ◽

Sensory Nerve ◽

Input Resistance ◽

Cutaneous Nerve ◽

Medial Gastrocnemius ◽

Mechanical Activity ◽

Muscle Nerve ◽

Muscle Innervation ◽

Stimulation Of

1. We studied the electrical properties of spinal motoneurons, the axons of which had regenerated into a cutaneous nerve. 2. In cats, all or part of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle nerve was cut and directed distally into the caudal cutaneous sural (CCS) nerve, a sensory (primarily cutaneous) nerve. One or 2 yr later, electrical properties [conduction velocity (CV), rheobase (Irh), input resistance (RN), afterhyperpolarization (AHP), and excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs)] of MG motoneurons that had cross-regenerated into the CCS nerve were determined. These were compared with properties of normal and of axotomized MG motoneurons and with data from previous studies in which MG motoneurons had reinnervated their own or a foreign muscle. 3. Electrical stimulation of the MG-innervated CCS nerve produced no detected mechanical activity, indicating an absence of muscle innervation. Tactile stimulation of skin did not activate these motoneurons; i.e., they did not acquire properties of cutaneous afferents. 4. The CV and Irh of MG motoneurons axotomized 11 mo declined by 48 and 60%, respectively. 5. The CV of MG motoneurons that had regenerated through CCS was only slightly slower than normal, similar to that of MG motoneurons that reinnervated the “slow” muscle soleus (Foehring and Munson 1990). 6. The Irh and RN were also similar to those of MG motoneurons that had regenerated into the soleus muscle. 7. Electrical stimulation of the lateral gastrocnemius-soleus nerve generated EPSPs of normal or almost normal amplitude in MG motoneurons axotomized for 11 mo or cross-regenerated into CCS up to 2 yr.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Blockade of the pressor response to muscle ischemia by sensory nerve block in man

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.1979.237.4.h433 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 237 (4) ◽

pp. H433-H439 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

P. R. Freund ◽

L. B. Rowell ◽

T. M. Murphy ◽

S. F. Hobbs ◽

S. H. Butler

Keyword(s):

Nerve Block ◽

Pressor Response ◽

Sensory Nerve ◽

Sensory Block ◽

Nerve Fibers ◽

Dynamic Exercise ◽

Sensory Blockade ◽

Muscle Ischemia ◽

Respiratory Responses ◽

Stimulation Of

Differential nerve block from peridural anesthesia was used to determine a) if the pressor response to muscle ischemia in man is caused by stimulation of small sensory nerve fibers and b) if these fibers contribute to cardiovascular-respiratory responses during dynamic exercise. Four men exercised at 50-100 W for 5 min. Muscle ischemia and a sustained pressor response were produced by total circulatory occlusion of both legs beginning 30 s before the end of exercise and continuing for 3 min postexercise. During regression of full motor and sensory block, motor strength recovered while sensory block continued; the pressor response was blocked as long as sensory anesthesia persisted (two subjects). During blockade of the pressor response, cardiovascular-respiratory responses to exercise gradually returned from augmented to normal (preblock) levels. Sensory blockade was incomplete in two subjects and the pressor response was not fully blocked. We conclude that stimulation of small sensory fibers during ischemia elicits the pressor response, but that these fibers appear not to contribute to cardiovascular-respiratory responses during mild dynamic exercise with adequate blood flow.

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