Patterns of responses of neurons in cuneate nucleus to controlled mechanical stimulation of cutaneous velocity receptors in the cat

1980 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 1673-1699 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Golovchinsky
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Field ◽  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Neuronal Firing ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Pacinian Corpuscles ◽  
Sharp Separation ◽  
First Order ◽  
Discharge Patterns ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. The responses of single cuneate neurons to controled mechanical stimulation of skin were recorded in cats lightly anesthetized with a nitrous oxide-halothane mixture. The discharge patterns and peripheral receptive-field characteristics were studied in neurons driven by sensitive cutaneous mechanoreceptors, including slowly adapting skin mechanoreceptors. Virtually all cuneate neurons display maximum discharge during the velocity component of displacement. 2. Among cuneate neurons encountered in this study, approximately 46% were driven by guard hair mechanoreceptors, 15% were driven by field receptors, and 13% were driven by slowly adapting skin receptors. Neurons responding to stimulation of deep tissues (including claws) were not studied with controlled mechanical stimulation and accounted for 19%. The rest of the neurons were driven by Pacinian corpuscles, received afferent inputs from several different first-order afferents, or were not definitely identified. There was no clear evidence of down hair or high-threshold mechanoreceptor representation. 3. The discharge pattern in response to a constant-velocity stimulus proved most valuable in describing submodality classes of neurons driven by hair and field receptors since sensitivity of these neurons to dynamic and to static phases of stimulation constitute respective continua and, thus, preclude sharp separation into distinct groups. 4. The majority of neurons displayed response properties and receptive fields similar to those of first-order afferents. A minority of cells had receptive fields that were larger than those of primary afferents, with nearly identical modality and velocity characteristics throughout the receptive field. 5. Approximately 2% of recorded neurons displayed convergent properties not encountered in first-order afferents, including neurons driven from receptors of different modalities or from discontinuous receptive fields. 6. Inhibition of neuronal firing generated from outside the receptive field was rarely seen, possibly due to anesthetic conditions. In a small number of neurons, irregularities in the discharge were observed that might indicate inhibitory influences originating from within the receptive field.

scholarly journals Optimal delineation of single C-tactile and C-nociceptive afferents in humans by latency slowing

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 1608-1614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger H. Watkins ◽  
Johan Wessberg ◽  
Helena Backlund Wasling ◽  
James P. Dunham ◽  
Håkan Olausson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Receptive Field ◽  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Field Stimulation ◽  
Affective Touch ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Repetitive Electrical Stimulation

C-mechanoreceptors in humans comprise a population of unmyelinated afferents exhibiting a wide range of mechanical sensitivities. C-mechanoreceptors are putatively divided into those signaling gentle touch (C-tactile afferents, CTs) and nociception (C-mechanosensitive nociceptors, CMs), giving rise to positive and negative affect, respectively. We sought to distinguish, compare, and contrast the properties of a population of human C-mechanoreceptors to see how fundamental the divisions between these putative subpopulations are. We used microneurography to record from individual afferents in humans and applied electrical and mechanical stimulation to their receptive fields. We show that C-mechanoreceptors can be distinguished unequivocally into two putative populations, comprising CTs and CMs, by electrically evoked spike latency changes (slowing). After both natural mechanical stimulation and repetitive electrical stimulation there was markedly less latency slowing in CTs compared with CMs. Electrical receptive field stimulation, which bypasses the receptor end organ, was most effective in classifying C-mechanoreceptors, as responses to mechanical receptive field stimulation overlapped somewhat, which may lead to misclassification. Furthermore, we report a subclass of low-threshold CM responding to gentle mechanical stimulation and a potential subclass of CT afferent displaying burst firing. We show that substantial differences exist in the mechanisms governing axonal conduction between CTs and CMs. We provide clear electrophysiological “signatures” (extent of latency slowing) that can be used in unequivocally identifying populations of C-mechanoreceptors in single-unit and multiunit microneurography studies and in translational animal research into affective touch. Additionally, these differential mechanisms may be pharmacologically targetable for separate modulation of positive and negative affective touch information. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Human skin encodes a plethora of touch interactions, and affective tactile information is primarily signaled by slowly conducting C-mechanoreceptive afferents. We show that electrical stimulation of low-threshold C-tactile afferents produces markedly different patterns of activity compared with high-threshold C-mechanoreceptive nociceptors, although the populations overlap in their responses to mechanical stimulation. This fundamental distinction demonstrates a divergence in affective touch signaling from the first stage of sensory processing, having implications for the processing of interpersonal touch.

scholarly journals Selective inhibition of meningeal nociceptors by botulinum neurotoxin type A: Therapeutic implications for migraine and other pains

Cephalalgia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 853-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rami Burstein ◽  
XiChun Zhang ◽  
Dan Levy ◽  
K Roger Aoki ◽  
Mitchell F Brin
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxin ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Type A ◽  
Selective Inhibition ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Mechanical Hypersensitivity ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A ◽  
Stimulation Of

Background Meningeal and other trigeminal nociceptors are thought to play important roles in the initiation of migraine headache. Currently, the only approved peripherally administered chronic migraine prophylactic drug is onabotulinumtoxinA. The purpose of this study was to determine how botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) affects naïve and sensitized meningeal nociceptors. Material and methods Using electrophysiological techniques, we identified 43 C- and 36 Aδ-meningeal nociceptors, and measured their spontaneous and evoked firing before and after BoNT-A administration to intracranial dura and extracranial suture-receptive fields. Results As a rule, BoNT-A inhibited C- but not Aδ-meningeal nociceptors. When applied to nonsensitized C-units, BoNT-A inhibited responses to mechanical stimulation of the dura with suprathreshold forces. When applied to sensitized units, BoNT-A reversed mechanical hypersensitivity. When applied before sensitization, BoNT-A prevented development of mechanical hypersensitivity. When applied extracranially to suture branches of intracranial meningeal nociceptors, BoNT-A inhibited the mechanical responsiveness of the suture branch but not dural axon. In contrast, BoNT-A did not inhibit C-unit responses to mechanical stimulation of the dura with threshold forces, or their spontaneous activity. Discussion The study provides evidence for the ability of BoNT-A to inhibit mechanical nociception in peripheral trigeminovascular neurons. These findings suggest that BoNT-A interferes with neuronal surface expression of high-threshold mechanosensitive ion channels linked preferentially to mechanical pain by preventing their fusion into the nerve terminal membrane.

Neurons in ventrobasal region of cat thalamus selectively responsive to noxious mechanical stimulation

1983 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 662-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. N. Honda ◽  
S. Mense ◽  
E. R. Perl
Keyword(s):  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Noxious Stimulation ◽  
Nociceptive Neurons ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissues ◽  
Alpha Beta ◽  
Lateral Nucleus ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. A survey was made of neurons located in the ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the cat thalamus and its immediate vicinity for elements with specifically nociceptive properties. 2. Pipette microelectrodes filled with a dye solution were used to obtain extracellular recordings of unitary activity in 34 animals anesthetized with chloralose. 3. The great majority of the over 1,000 different single units responding to sciatic nerve stimulation noted in this series of experiments could also be excited by innocuous mechanical stimulation of skin or subcutaneous tissues. An infrequent but consistently noted group of units excited by A-alpha beta delta sciatic nerve volleys did not respond to innocuous mechanical manipulation or A-alpha beta sciatic nerve volleys; they were excited only by either noxious levels of mechanical stimulation or when volleys included the activity of more slowly conducting myelinated fibers. The latencies of such "high-threshold" units to sciatic volleys were longer than those of the other units. 4. Histologically identified recording sites marked by dye were recovered for 17 high-threshold units. Twelve of the 17 could be excited by noxious manipulations of restricted parts of the contralateral hindlimb. Nine of the 12 had cutaneous receptive fields, whereas 3 responded only to stimulation of subcutaneous tissues. None of the 17 high-threshold units evidenced additional discharges that could be correlated with the C-fiber component of sciatic nerve volleys. 5. The high-threshold units typically exhibited a low level of irregular background activity, which increased on repeated noxious stimulation of the peripheral receptive fields. Tactile units of the same or adjacent penetrations usually had a much greater degree of ongoing activity, often marked by bursts at a relatively high frequency. 6. The recording sites for the 17 high-threshold neurons were located dorsal and ventrolateral to the core of the ventrobasal nuclei and were not found in the midst of the low-threshold, cutaneous, mechanoreceptive population. During vertical stereotaxic penetrations, high-threshold units were noted dorsal or ventral to the location of ventrobasal tactile units in a pattern consistent with the core's somatotopic arrangement. 7. These results support the concept that the cat ventrolateral thalamus receives a small but distinct selectively nociceptive projection. The nociceptive neurons appear to be located in a shell that surrounds the main tactile projection to the ventral posterior lateral nucleus and that retains at least part of the topographic arrangement characteristic of the tactile core. Presumably, this projection is part of an organization identifying and localizing noxious stimulation.

Sensory receptors with unmyelinated (C) fibers innervating the skin of the rabbit's ear

1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. K. Shea ◽  
E. R. Perl
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Cutaneous Stimulation ◽  
Great Auricular Nerve ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
C Fiber ◽  
Back Ground ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Stimulation Of

The cutaneous receptive properties of unmyelinated (C) fibers of the rabbit's great auricular nerve were determined by single-unit recordings. The majority of C-fiber units could be excited by cutaneous stimulation, and such sensory units fell into three major categories on the basis of responses to mechanical and thermal stimulation of their cutaneous receptive fields: low-threshold mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, or specific thermoreceptors. The majority of afferent elements were nociceptive, and all nociceptors responded to strong mechanical stimulation. Three types of nociceptors could be distinguished by their responses to thermal stimuli. Polymodal nociceptors responded to heat with thresholds of 40-55 degrees C and typically displayed enhanced responses or sensitization after noxious heating of their receptive fields. High-threshold mechanoreceptors failed to respond promptly to heat before noxious cutaneous stimulation which, however, elicited subsequent back-ground activity or sensitivity to heat. A third type of nociceptor responded to cold but not to heat. Low-threshold mechanoreceptors were identified by their brisk responses to very gentle, slowly moving mechanical stimulation of their receptive fields, and were readily distinguished from any element classified as nociceptive by their lower mechanical thresholds. Rapid innocuous warming or cooling excited some of the low-threshold mechanoreceptors. Specific thermoreceptors, both warming and cooling types, were rare, insensitive to mechanical stimulation, and responded to very slight changes in temperature. In contrast to the sensitization to heat, which was characteristic of most nociceptors, specific warming receptors displayed depressed thermal responses after noxious heating of their receptive fields. These results provide further evidence of the similarity of C-fiber receptors innervating hairy skin of different species. Some differences from past reports and additional features are described.

Modulation of transmission in rostral trigeminal sensory nuclei during chewing

1986 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Olsson ◽  
K. Sasamoto ◽  
J. P. Lund
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Field ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Sensorimotor Cortex ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Border Zone ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Motor Nucleus ◽  
Lateral Border ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Stimulation Of

Eighty-one sensory neurons in the rostral trigeminal sensory nuclei (main sensory nucleus, nucleus oralis, and the lateral border zone of the motor nucleus) were recorded in urethan-anesthetized rabbits before and during mastication. Receptive-field characteristics were described, and responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the inferior alveolar and infraorbital nerves, sensorimotor cortex, and thalamus were recorded. Forty-four percent of neurons were stimulated by the movements of mastication; nevertheless, evidence is presented that the excitability of the 49 neurons that receive low-threshold mechanoreceptor inputs is depressed during mastication for the following reasons: The spontaneous activity of seven cells was inhibited during movement. The probability of firing in response to stimulation of the peripheral nerve on sensorimotor cortex was decreased during mastication. There was usually a corresponding increase in the latency of the action potentials. Injections of local anesthetic (prilocaine hydrochloride, 4%) into the receptive field of the neuron did not prevent the decrease in excitability during mastication. Fourteen neurons that received inputs from periodontal pressoreceptors were recorded medial to most of the low-threshold group. The excitability of six of these was reduced during jaw closure and during the occlusal phase of movement, that is, within the period in which they would be activated by pressure on the teeth. The rest were tonically suppressed. Eighteen neurons recorded in the lateral border zone of the motor nucleus had receptive fields that were of high threshold or were undefined. They responded to stimulation of the peripheral nerve at high threshold. The excitability of most of these neurons was strongly phase modulated during mastication. They were most excitable during jaw closure or during the occlusal phase of movement and inexcitable during opening. The excitability of the others was tonically depressed. In most cases, the changes in excitability described did not seem to be due to the patterns of activity of the neurons that were generated by the movements. We conclude that the pattern elaborated by the central pattern generator includes selective modifications of sensory transmission. One reason for this is to suppress reflex responses to low-threshold inputs while maintaining the protective response to tissue damage.

Mechanical sensitivity of group III and IV afferents from posterior articular nerve in normal and inflamed cat knee

1986 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 635-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Grigg ◽  
H. G. Schaible ◽  
R. F. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Sciatic Nerve ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Conduction Velocity ◽  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Dorsal Root ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Group Iv ◽  
Mechanical Sensitivity ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Stimulation Of

Recordings were performed from sciatic nerve or dorsal root filaments in 28 cats to study single group III (conduction velocity 2.5-20 m/s) and group IV (conduction velocity less than 2.5 m/s) units supplying the knee joint via the posterior articular nerve (PAN). In seven of these cats the knee joint had been inflamed artificially. Recordings from sciatic nerve filaments revealed responses to local mechanical stimulation of the joint in only 3 of 41 group IV units and in 12 of 18 group III units from the normal joint. In the inflamed joint 14 of 36 group IV units and 24 of 36 group III units were excited with local mechanical stimulation. In recordings from dorsal root filaments (normal joint) 4 of 11 group IV units and 7 of 13 group III units were activated by stimulating the joint locally. In the normal joint four group IV units (recorded from dorsal root filaments) responded only to rotations against the resistance of the tissue, whereas the majority of the fibers did not respond even to forceful movements. Group III units with local mechanosensitivity in the normal joint reacted strongly or weakly to movements in the working range of the joint or only to movements against resistance of the tissue. In the inflamed joint, group IV fibers (recorded in sciatic nerve filaments) with detectable receptive fields responded strongly to gentle movements or only to movements against resistance of tissue. Some did not react to movements. Group III units reacted strongly or weakly to gentle movements or only to movements against resistance of the tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in the response properties of neurons in the ventroposterior lateral thalamic nucleus of the raccoon after peripheral deafferentation

1996 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2441-2450 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. Rasmusson
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Field ◽  
Thalamic Nucleus ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Field Size ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Sensory Pathways ◽  
Average Latency ◽  
Somatotopic Map ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. Single neurons in the ventroposterior lateral thalamic nucleus were studied in 10 anesthetized raccoons, 4 of which had undergone amputation of the fourth digit 4-5 mo before recording. Neurons with receptive fields on the glabrous skin of a forepaw digit were examined in response to electrical stimulation of the “on-focus” digit that contained the neuron's receptive field and stimulation of an adjacent, “off-focus” digit. 2. In normal raccoons all neurons responded to on-focus stimulation with an excitation at a short latency (mean 13 ms), whereas only 63% of the neurons responded to off-focus digit stimulation. The off-focus responses had a longer latency (mean 27.2 ms) and a higher threshold than the on-focus responses (800 and 452 microA, respectively). Only 3 of 32 neurons tested with off-focus stimulation had both a latency and a threshold within the range of on-focus values. Inhibition following the excitation was seen in the majority of neurons with both types of stimulation. 3. In the raccoons with digit removal, the region of the thalamus that had lost its major peripheral input (the “deafferented” region) was distinguished from the normal third and fifth digit regions on the basis of the sequence of neuronal receptive fields within a penetration and receptive field size as described previously. 4. Almost all of the neurons in the deafferented region (91%) were excited by stimulation of one or both adjacent digits. The average latency for these responses was shorter (15.3 ms) and the threshold was lower than was the case with off-focus stimulation in control animals. These values were not significantly different from the responses to on-focus stimulation in the animals with digit amputation. 5. These results confirm that reorganization of sensory pathways can be observed at the thalamic level. In addition to the changes in the somatotopic map that have been shown previously with the use of mechanical stimuli, the present paper demonstrates an improvement in several quantitative measures of single-unit responses. Many of these changes suggest that this reorganization could be explained by an increased effectiveness of preexisting, weak connections from the off-focus digits; however, the increase in the proportion of neurons responding to stimulation of adjacent digits may indicate that sprouting of new connections also occurs.

Neuronal Activity in Somatosensory Cortex of Monkeys Using a Precision Grip. I. Receptive Fields and Discharge Patterns

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 825-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iran Salimi ◽  
Thomas Brochier ◽  
Allan M. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Field ◽  
Somatosensory Cortex ◽  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Precision Grip ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Pressure Change ◽  
Discharge Pattern ◽  
Cortical Cells ◽  
Discharge Patterns

Neuronal activity in somatosensory cortex of monkeys using a precision grip. I. Receptive fields and discharge patterns. Three adolescent Macaca fascicularis monkeys weighing between 3.5 and 4 kg were trained to use a precision grip to grasp a metal tab mounted on a low friction vertical track and to lift and hold it in a 12- to 25-mm position window for 1 s. The surface texture of the metal tab in contact with the fingers and the weight of the object could be varied. The activity of 386 single cells with cutaneous receptive fields contacting the metal tab were recorded in Brodmann’s areas 3b, 1, 2, 5, and 7 of the somatosensory cortex. In this first of a series of papers, we describe three types of discharge pattern, the receptive-field properties, and the anatomic distribution of the neurons. The majority of the receptive fields were cutaneous and covered less than one digit, and a χ2 test did not reveal any significant differences in the Brodmann’s areas representing the thumb and index finger. Two broad categories of discharge pattern cells were identified. The first category, dynamic cells, showed a brief increase in activity beginning near grip onset, which quickly subsided despite continued pressure applied to the receptive field. Some of the dynamic neurons responded to both skin indentation and release. The second category, static cells, had higher activity during the stationary holding phase of the task. These static neurons demonstrated varying degrees of sensitivity to rates of pressure change on the skin. The percentage of dynamic versus static cells was about equal for areas 3b, 2, 5, and 7. Only area 1 had a higher proportion of dynamic cells (76%). A third category was identified that contained cells with significant pregrip activity and included cortical cells with both dynamic or static discharge patterns. Cells in this category showed activity increases before movement in the absence of receptive-field stimulation, suggesting that, in addition to peripheral cutaneous input, these cells also receive strong excitation from movement-related regions of the brain.

Primate nucleus gracilis neurons: responses to innocuous and noxious stimuli

1988 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 886-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. Ferrington ◽  
J. W. Downie ◽  
W. D. Willis
Keyword(s):  
Conduction Velocity ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Spinothalamic Tract ◽  
Sinusoidal Vibration ◽  
Nucleus Gracilis ◽  
Pressure Sensitive ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. Recordings were made from 67 neurons in the nucleus gracilis (NG) of anesthetized macaque monkeys. All of the cells were activated antidromically from the ventral posterior lateral (VPL) nucleus of the contralateral thalamus. Stimuli used to activate the cells orthodromically were graded innocuous and noxious mechanical stimuli, including sinusoidal vibration and thermal pulses. 2. The latencies of antidromic action potentials following stimulation in the VPL nucleus were significantly shorter for cells in the caudal compared with the rostral NG. The mean minimum afferent conduction velocity of the afferent conduction velocity of the afferent fibers exciting the NG cells was 52 m/s, as judged from the latencies of the cells to orthodromic volleys evoked by electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves. The overall conduction velocity of the pathway from peripheral nerve to thalamus was approximately 40 m/s. 3. Cutaneous receptive fields on the distal hindlimb usually occupied an area equivalent to much less than a single digit. However, a few cells had receptive fields up to or exceeding the area of the foot. 4. NG cells were classified by their responses to graded mechanical stimulation of the skin as low threshold (LT) or wide dynamic range (WDR). No high-threshold NG cells were found. A special subcategory of pressure-sensitive LT (SA) neurons was recognized. Many of these cells were maximally responsive to maintained indentation of the skin. The sample of NG cells differed from the population of primate spinothalamic and spinocervicothalamic pathways so far examined, in having a larger proportion of LT neurons and a smaller proportion of WDR cells. A few NG cells responded best to manipulation of subcutaneous tissue. 5. Discriminant analysis permitted the NG cells to be assigned to classes determined by a k-means cluster analysis of the responses of a reference set of 318 primate spinothalamic tract (STT) cells. There were four classes of cells based on normalized responses of individual neurons and another four classes based upon responses compared across the population of cells. The NG cells were allocated to the various categories in different proportions than either primate STT cells or spinocervicothalamic neurons, consistent with the view that the functional roles of these somatosensory pathways differ. 6. Some of the pressure-sensitive NG cells were excited when the skin was stretched, suggesting an input from type II slowly adapting (Ruffini) mechanoreceptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

scholarly journals Cutaneous stimulation evokes long-lasting excitation of spinal interneurons in the turtle

1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1134-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. N. Currie ◽  
P. S. Stein
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Receptive Field ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Cutaneous Afferents ◽  
Cutaneous Stimulation ◽  
Single Action ◽  
Single Action Potential ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. We demonstrated multisecond increases in the excitability of the rostral-scratch reflex in the turtle by electrically stimulating the shell at sites within the rostral-scratch receptive field. To examine the cellular mechanisms for these multisecond increases in scratch excitability, we recorded from single cutaneous afferents and sensory interneurons that responded to stimulation of the shell within the rostral-scratch receptive field. A single segment of the midbody spinal cord (D4, the 4th postcervical segment) was isolated in situ by transecting the spinal cord at the segment's anterior and posterior borders. The isolated segment was left attached to its peripheral nerve that innervates part of the rostral-scratch receptive field. A microsuction electrode (4-5 microns ID) was used to record extracellularly from the descending axons of cutaneous afferents and interneurons in the spinal white matter at the posterior end of the D4 segment. 2. The turtle shell is innervated by slowly and rapidly adapting cutaneous afferents. All cutaneous afferents responded to a single electrical stimulus to the shell with a single action potential. Maintained mechanical stimulation applied to the receptive field of some slowly adapting afferents produced several seconds of afterdischarge at stimulus offset. We refer to the cutaneous afferent afterdischarge caused by mechanical stimulation of the shell as "peripheral afterdischarge." 3. Within the D4 spinal segment there were some interneurons that responded to a brief mechanical stimulus within their receptive fields on the shell with short afterdischarge and others that responded with long afterdischarge. Short-afterdischarge interneurons responded to a single electrical pulse to a site in their receptive fields either with a brief train of action potentials or with a single action potential. Long-afterdischarge interneurons responded to a single electrical shell stimulus with up to 30 s of afterdischarge. Long-afterdischarge interneurons also exhibited strong temporal summation in response to a pair of electrical shell stimuli delivered up to several seconds apart. Because all cutaneous afferents responded to an electrical shell stimulus with a single action potential, we conclude that electrically evoked afterdischarge in interneurons was produced by neural mechanisms in the spinal cord; we refer to this type of afterdischarge as "central afterdischarge." 4. These results demonstrate that neural mechanisms for long-lasting excitability changes in response to cutaneous stimulation reside in a single segment of the spinal cord. Cutaneous interneurons with long afterdischarge may serve as cellular loci for multise

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