scholarly journals Peripheral vs. central determinants of vibrotactile adaptation

2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 685-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Klöcker ◽  
D. Gueorguiev ◽  
J. L. Thonnard ◽  
A. Mouraux
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Mechanical Vibration ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Skin Impedance ◽  
Constant Current ◽  
Detection Thresholds ◽  
Mechanical Adaptation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Stimulation Of

Long-lasting mechanical vibrations applied to the skin induce a reversible decrease in the perception of vibration at the stimulated skin site. This phenomenon of vibrotactile adaptation has been studied extensively, yet there is still no clear consensus on the mechanisms leading to vibrotactile adaptation. In particular, the respective contributions of 1) changes affecting mechanical skin impedance, 2) peripheral processes, and 3) central processes are largely unknown. Here we used direct electrical stimulation of nerve fibers to bypass mechanical transduction processes and thereby explore the possible contribution of central vs. peripheral processes to vibrotactile adaptation. Three experiments were conducted. In the first, adaptation was induced with mechanical vibration of the fingertip (51- or 251-Hz vibration delivered for 8 min, at 40× detection threshold). In the second, we attempted to induce adaptation with transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the median nerve (51- or 251-Hz constant-current pulses delivered for 8 min, at 1.5× detection threshold). Vibrotactile detection thresholds were measured before and after adaptation. Mechanical stimulation induced a clear increase of vibrotactile detection thresholds. In contrast, thresholds were unaffected by electrical stimulation. In the third experiment, we assessed the effect of mechanical adaptation on the detection thresholds to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimuli, measured before and after adaptation. Electrical detection thresholds were unaffected by the mechanical adaptation. Taken together, our results suggest that vibrotactile adaptation is predominantly the consequence of peripheral mechanoreceptor processes and/or changes in biomechanical properties of the skin.

scholarly journals Tenderness of the Skin after Chemical Stimulation of Underlying Temporal and Thoracolumbar Fasciae Reveals Somatosensory Crosstalk between Superficial and Deep Tissues

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 370
Author(s):  
Walter Magerl ◽  
Emanuela Thalacker ◽  
Simon Vogel ◽  
Robert Schleip ◽  
Thomas Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Hypertonic Saline ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Constant Current ◽  
Iliotibial Band ◽  
Deep Tissue ◽  
Test Parameter ◽  
Temporal Fascia ◽  
Sufficient Stimulus ◽  
Stimulation Of

Musculoskeletal pain is often associated with pain referred to adjacent areas or skin. So far, no study has analyzed the somatosensory changes of the skin after the stimulation of different underlying fasciae. The current study aimed to investigate heterotopic somatosensory crosstalk between deep tissue (muscle or fascia) and superficial tissue (skin) using two established models of deep tissue pain (namely focal high frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) (100 pulses of constant current electrical stimulation at 10× detection threshold) or the injection of hypertonic saline in stimulus locations as verified using ultrasound). In a methodological pilot experiment in the TLF, different injection volumes of hypertonic saline (50–800 µL) revealed that small injection volumes were most suitable, as they elicited sufficient pain but avoided the complication of the numbing pinprick sensitivity encountered after the injection of a very large volume (800 µL), particularly following muscle injections. The testing of fascia at different body sites revealed that 100 µL of hypertonic saline in the temporal fascia and TLF elicited significant pinprick hyperalgesia in the overlying skin (–26.2% and –23.5% adjusted threshold reduction, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively), but not the trapezius fascia or iliotibial band. Notably, both estimates of hyperalgesia were significantly correlated (r = 0.61, p < 0.005). Comprehensive somatosensory testing (DFNS standard) revealed that no test parameter was changed significantly following electrical HFS. The experiments demonstrated that fascia stimulation at a sufficient stimulus intensity elicited significant across-tissue facilitation to pinprick stimulation (referred hyperalgesia), a hallmark sign of nociceptive central sensitization.

scholarly journals Laminar Variation in Threshold for Detection of Electrical Excitation of Striate Cortex by Macaques

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 3443-3450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar A. DeYoe ◽  
Jeffrey D. Lewine ◽  
Robert W. Doty
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Striate Cortex ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Human Case ◽  
Constant Current ◽  
Electrical Excitation ◽  
Detection Thresholds ◽  
Current Pulses ◽  
A Site ◽  
Stimulation Of

Macaques were trained to signal their detection of electrical stimulation applied by a movable microelectrode to perifoveal striate cortex. Trains of ≤100 cathodal, 0.2-ms, constant current pulses were delivered at 50 or 100 Hz. The minimum current that could be reliably detected was measured at successive depths along radial electrode penetrations through the cortex. The lowest detection thresholds were routinely encountered when the stimulation was applied to layer 3, particularly just at the juncture between layers 3 and 4A. On the average, there was a twofold variation in threshold along the penetrations, with the highest intracortical thresholds being in layers 4C and 6. Variations as high as 20-fold were obtained in some individual penetrations, whereas relatively little change was observed in others. The minimum detectable current was 1 μA at a site in layer 3, i.e., 10–100 times lower than that for surface stimulation. Because macaques, as do human subjects, find electrical stimulation of striate cortex to be highly similar at all loci (a phosphene in the human case), it is puzzling as to how such uniformity of effect evolves from the exceedingly intricate circuitry available to the effective stimuli. It is hypothesized that the stimulus captures the most excitable elements, which then suppress other functional moieties, producing only the luminance of the phosphene. Lowest thresholds presumably are encountered when the electrode lies among these excitable elements that can, with higher currents, be stimulated directly from some distance or indirectly by the horizontal bands of myelinated axons, the stria of Baillarger.

Cross-talk along gastrointestinal tract during electrical stimulation: effects and mechanisms of gastric/colonic stimulation on rectal tone in dogs

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (6) ◽  
pp. G1195-G1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Liu ◽  
Lijie Wang ◽  
J. D. Z. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Adrenergic Blockade ◽  
Rectal Compliance ◽  
Rectal Tone ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sensory Functions ◽  
Sympathetic Pathway ◽  
Colonic Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Stimulation Of

Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) has been shown to alter motor and sensory functions of the stomach. However, its effects on other organs of the gut have rarely been investigated. The study was performed in 12 dogs implanted with two pairs of electrodes, one on the serosa of the stomach and the other on the colon. The study was composed of two experiments. Experiment 1 was designed to study the effects of GES on rectal tone and compliance in nine dogs compared with colonic electrical stimulation (CES). Rectal tone and compliance were assessed before and after GES or CES. Experiment 2 was performed to study the involvement of sympathetic pathway in 8 of the 12 dogs. The rectal tone was recorded for 30–40 min at baseline and 20 min after intravenous guanethidine. GES or CES was given for 20 min 20 min after the initiation of the infusion. It was found that both GES and CES reduced rectal tone with comparable potency. Rectal compliance was altered neither with GES, nor with CES. The inhibitory effect of GES but not CES on rectal tone was abolished by an adrenergic blockade, guanethidine. GES inhibited rectal tone with a comparable potency with CES but did not alter rectal compliance. The inhibitory effect of GES on rectal tone is mediated by the sympathetic pathway. It should be noted that electrical stimulation of one organ of the gut may have a beneficial or adverse effect on another organ of the gut.

ATP concentrations and muscle tension increase linearly with muscle contraction

2003 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 577-583 ◽  
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.

Functional organization of ciliary muscle in the cat

1962 ◽  
Vol 203 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harris Ripps ◽  
Irwin M. Siegel ◽  
William B. Getz
Keyword(s):  
Functional Organization ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Fixed Number ◽  
Ciliary Muscle ◽  
Frequency Variation ◽  
Efferent Nerve ◽  
Ocular Accommodation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Stimulation Of

Ocular accommodation was elicited by electric stimulation of the ciliary ganglion in cats. The responses to frequency variation were recorded before and after cutting a branch of the postganglionic motor supply to the ciliary muscle. At all stimulus frequencies the responses obtained after section were shown to be a constant fraction of those obtained in the intact preparation. This suggests that a fixed number of muscle cells are affected when a portion of the efferent nerve fibers is cut. It was concluded that smooth ciliary muscle is organized as independent functional units, akin to the motor-unit arrangement of skeletal muscle; a given nerve fiber influences the response of a limited number of muscle cells.

Electrical Stimulation of the Guinea Pig Cochlea

1987 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Maslan ◽  
Josef M. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Damage Threshold ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Cochlear Prosthesis ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Auditory Brainstem Evoked Responses ◽  
Straight Lines ◽  
Histopathologic Findings ◽  
Stimulation Of

As a result of practical considerations, histopathologic findings of the temporal bone in humans with cochlear prosthesis implants have been limited. This project attempts to better define safe parameters of electrical stimulation of the inner ear and compare the safe limits of intracochlear vs. extracochlear stimulation sites. Guinea pigs were implanted with single electrodes either on the promontory or in the scala tympani and were stimulated relative to a remote indifferent for 12 hours distributed over a 4-week period. Electrical auditory brainstem evoked responses (EABRs) were tested before and after each of four 3-hour stimulation sessions. Six weeks after implantation, the animals were killed, and their cochleas were examined under the scanning electron microscope. Intracochlear electrodes exhibited thresholds for damage well below one half of that found for most extracochlear stimulation sites. The function-relating damage threshold (in amperes) to frequency of intracochlear stimulation is represented by two straight lines, with an intercept of 1 kHz. The low-frequency limb exhibited a slope of 3 to 4 dB/octave, whereas the high-frequency limb exhibited a slope of 9 to 10 dB/octave. Extracochlear results were too variable to permit speculation. Changes in EABRs were only variably related to histopathologic findings.

Relationships between permeable vessels, nerves, and mast cells in rat cutaneous neurogenic inflammation

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 2305-2311 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Baraniuk ◽  
M. L. Kowalski ◽  
M. A. Kaliner
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Mast Cells ◽  
Neurogenic Inflammation ◽  
Sensory Nerve ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Sensory Nerves ◽  
Neurokinin A ◽  
Rat Skin ◽  
Protein Extravasation ◽  
Stimulation Of

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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