Responses of primate spinothalamic tract neurons to renal pelvic distension

1989 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 778-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Ammons
Keyword(s):  
Renal Pelvis ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Response Threshold ◽  
Spinothalamic Tract ◽  
Renal Nerve ◽  
C Fiber ◽  
The Right ◽  
Somatic Input ◽  
Increased Activity ◽  
Pelvic Pressure

1. Experiments were performed to examine responses of spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons to distension of the renal pelvis. Nineteen monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were anesthetized with alpha-chloralose, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated. Fifty-four STT neurons in the T11-L2 segments were studied. Each cell was excited by renal nerve stimulation and had a somatic receptive field in the left flank and/or the abdomen. 2. Distension of the left renal pelvis to 50 mmHg for 20-30 s increased activity of 40 STT neurons. Two types of responses were observed. Six cells responded rapidly to the increase in renal pelvic pressure. Thereafter activity of these cells completely adapted. The other 34 cells also responded rapidly to the distension: however, the subsequent adaptation was not complete. Average activity before distension was 13 +/- 1 (SE) spikes/s. Distension increased activity to a peak of 42 +/- 3 spikes/s. Mean activity just before the end of the distension was 27 +/- 3 spikes/s. 3. The pelvic pressure-cell response relation was determined for 16 cells. Only one cell responded to a pressure of 20 mmHg. Three responded to 30 mmHg, and all others responded to 40 mmHg and higher. The average response threshold was 32 +/- 1 mmHg. Peak responses increased as distending pressure increased from 40-80 mmHg. Responses to a pressure of 100 mmHg were no greater than to 80 mmHg. Adapted levels of activity were also a function of distending pressure in the 40-80 mmHg range. 4. Probability of responses was unrelated to somatic input. However, cells with A delta- and C-fiber renal input were significantly more likely to respond to renal pelvic distension than cells with only A delta-renal input. Magnitude of responses to a pressure of 50 mmHg was not related to the type of renal input to the cells; however, among the cells tested at all pressures, cells with A delta- and C-fiber input had significantly greater responses to pressures of 80 and 100 mmHg. 5. Cells were studied in laminae I and IV-VII: responses were unrelated to laminar location. None of the 6 cells located in L2 responded to renal pelvic distension; 8 of 12 in L1 responded; 24 of 28 in T12 responded; and all 8 cells in T11 responded. 6. Stimulation of inhibitory receptive fields on the right hindlimb reduced activity of four cells to a significantly greater extent during pelvic distension than before pelvic distension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

T2-T5 spinothalamic neurons projecting to medial thalamus with viscerosomatic input

1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Ammons ◽  
M. N. Girardot ◽  
R. D. Foreman
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Cell Group ◽  
Spinothalamic Tract ◽  
Medial Thalamus ◽  
Dorsal Nucleus ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
C Fiber ◽  
Antidromic Responses ◽  
Alpha Chloralose ◽  
Stimulation Of

Spinothalamic tract neurons projecting to medial thalamus (M-STT cells), ventral posterior lateral nucleus (VPL) of the thalamus (L-STT cells), or both thalamic regions (LM-STT cells) were studied in 19 monkeys anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Twenty-seven M-STT cells were antidromically activated from nucleus centralis lateralis, nucleus centrum medianum, or the medial dorsal nucleus. Stimulation of VPL elicited antidromic responses from 22 cells and 13 cells were activated from both VPL and medial thalamus. Antidromic conduction velocities of M-STT cells were significantly slower than those of L-STT or LM-STT cells. M-STT cells were located in laminae I, IV, V, and VII with greater numbers found in the deepest laminae. L-STT cells were located mostly in lamina IV, whereas most LM-STT cells were found in lamina V. Twenty-four of 27 M-STT cells, all L-STT cells, and all LM-STT cells received input from both cardiopulmonary sympathetic and somatic afferent fibers. WDR cells were most common among the L-STT and LM-STT groups, whereas HT cells were the most common class in the M-STT cell group. Excitatory receptive fields of M-STT cells were large, and often bilateral. Receptive fields of L-STT cells were simple and never bilateral. Receptive fields of LM-STT cells could be similar to M-STT or L-STT cells. Thirty-three percent of the M-STT cells, 37% of the L-STT cells, and 62% of the LM-STT cells had inhibitory receptive fields. Inhibition was elicited most often by a noxious pinch of the hindlimbs. Sixteen of 23 (70%) M-STT cells received C-fiber cardiopulmonary sympathetic input in addition to A-delta-fiber input. The other 7 cells received only A-delta-fiber input. Only 45% of the L-STT cells and 38% of the LM-STT cells received both A-delta- and C-fiber inputs. The maximum number of spikes elicited by A-delta-input was related to segmental locations for L-STT cells with greatest responses in T2 and lesser responses in more caudal segments; however, no such trend was apparent for M-STT cells or for responses to C-fiber input for either group. Electrical stimulation of the left thoracic vagus nerve inhibited 7 of 18 M-STT cells, 10 of 16 L-STT cells, and 6 of 12 LM-STT cells. These results are the first description of visceral input to cells projecting to medial thalamus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Renal and somatic input to spinal neurons antidromically activated from the ventrolateral medulla

1988 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1967-1981 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Ammons
Keyword(s):  
Reticular Formation ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Ventrolateral Medulla ◽  
Reticular Nucleus ◽  
Lateral Reticular Nucleus ◽  
Spinal Neurons ◽  
C Fiber ◽  
Somatic Input ◽  
Fiber Stimulation ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. Studies were done to characterize responses of spinal neurons backfired from the ventrolateral medulla to renal and somatic stimuli. Experiments were performed on 31 cats that were anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Sixty-six spinal neurons were antidromically activated from the area of the lateral reticular nucleus or the ventrolateral reticular formation just rostral to the lateral reticular nucleus contralateral to the recording site. These cells could not be backfired from the medial reticular formation or from the spinothalamic tract just caudal to the thalamus. 2. Cells were located in laminae I, V, and VII of the T12-L2 segments. Antidromic conduction velocities averaged 35.9 +/- 7.2 m/s. Conduction velocities were unrelated to the projection site or laminar location of the cells. Termination sites of 21 cells were located in antidromic mapping experiments. Terminals were localized to the ventrolateral reticular formation, including the lateral reticular nucleus. 3. Responses to electrical stimulation of the renal nerves were always excitatory. Stimulation of renal A-delta-fibers excited 33 cells. These cells failed to respond to stimulation of renal C-fibers. The other 33 cells responded to both A-delta- and C-fiber stimulation. Latencies to A-delta-fiber stimulation averaged 9 +/- 2 ms, whereas latencies to C-fiber stimulation averaged 57 +/- 10 ms. 4. Renal mechanoreceptors were activated by occlusion of the renal vein or upper portion of the ureter. Renal vein occlusion excited 14 of 32 cells tested. Activity increased from 6 +/- 2 to 14 +/- 4 spike/s. Ureteral occlusion increased activity of 19 of 32 cells from 7 +/- 2 to 16 +/- 5 spikes/s. Cells responding to one of the mechanical stimuli were significantly more likely to receive A-delta-and C-fiber input compared with nonresponding cells. Nonresponders were more likely than responders to receive only A-delta input. 5. All cells received somatic input in addition to renal input. Twelve cells were classified as wide dynamic range, 46 as high threshold, and 8 as Deep. Somatic receptive fields most often included skin and muscle of the left flank and abdomen. Thirty-two cells had bilateral receptive fields, and 22 had inhibitory fields in addition to excitatory fields. 6. These data show that spinal neurons projecting to the ventrolateral medulla receive convergent inputs from the kidney and somatic structures. These cells may participate in a variety of functions including autonomic reflexes of renal origin.

Electrophysiological characteristics of primate spinothalamic neurons with renal and somatic inputs

1989 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 1121-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Ammons
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
High Threshold ◽  
Spinothalamic Tract ◽  
Renal Nerve ◽  
C Fibers ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
Renal Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Somatic Receptive Fields ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. Spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons in the T10-L3 segments were studied for responses to renal and somatic stimuli. A total of 90 neurons was studied in 25 alpha-chloralose anesthetized monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). All neurons were antidromically activated from the ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus. 2. Sixty-two cells were excited by renal nerve stimulation and six inhibited. Probability of locating cells with renal input was greatest in T11-L1. Cells were located in laminae I and IV-VII; however, most were located in laminae V-VII. Antidromic latencies averaged 4.61 +/- 0.32 (SE) ms, whereas antidromic conduction velocities averaged 43.23 +/- 9.03 m/s. 3. Cells with excitatory renal input received A delta input only (36 cells) or A delta- and C-fiber inputs (26 cells). Stimulation of A delta renal afferent fibers evoked bursts of 1-10 spikes/stimulus [mean 3.6 +/- 0.9 spikes/stimulus] with onset latencies of 10.7 +/- 0.5 ms. Stimulation of C-fibers evoked 1.3 +/- 0.5 spikes/stimulus with onset latencies of 61.7 +/- 11.1 ms. Magnitude of responses to A delta-fiber stimulation was greatest in T12 and decreased both rostrally and caudally. Inhibitory responses to renal nerve stimulation required activation of renal C-fibers. 4. All cells that responded to stimulation of renal afferent fibers received convergent inputs from somatic structures. Forty-four cells were classified as wide dynamic range, 10 were high threshold, 12 were high-threshold cells with inhibitory input from hair, 2 were deep, and 2 were low threshold. Somatic receptive fields were large and located on the flank and abdomen and/or the upper hindlimb. Fourteen cells had inhibitory receptive fields located on the contralateral hindlimb or one of the forearms. 5. It is concluded that T11-L1 STT cells in the monkey respond reliably to renal nerve stimulation. Thoracolumbar STT cells may thus play a role in pain that results from renal disease. The locations of the somatic receptive fields of the cells suggest that they are responsible for the referral of renal pain to the flank and abdomen.

Spinoreticular cell responses to intrarenal injections of bradykinin

1988 ◽  
Vol 255 (6) ◽  
pp. R994-R1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Ammons
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Isotonic Saline ◽  
Mechanical Pressure ◽  
Renal Nerve ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
Somatic Receptive Fields ◽  
Alpha Chloralose ◽  
Increased Activity ◽  
Saline Vehicle

Thirty cats were anesthetized with alpha-chloralose, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated. Extracellular unit activity was recorded from 63 spinoreticular tract (SRT) neurons in the T12-L2 segments. All cells were excited by renal nerve stimulation and had somatic receptive fields. Intrarenal injection of bradykinin (4 micrograms/kg) increased activity of 36 cells from 7 +/- 1 to 23 +/- 5 spikes/s. Latency to onset of responses averaged 11 +/- 2 s and latencies to peak were 26 +/- 5 s. Intrarenal injection of isotonic saline vehicle or intravenous injection of the same dose of bradykinin failed to alter activity. Responses increased as dosage increased from 2 to 12 micrograms/kg. Seventeen cells exhibited tachyphylaxis to repeated injections. Cells most likely to respond to bradykinin received both A delta- and C-fiber renal inputs and/or were located in lamina V of the spinal gray matter. Mechanical pressure applied to the renal capsule excited eight of the cells that responded to bradykinin. These results show that activation of renal afferent fibers with bradykinin leads to activation of T12-L2 SRT neurons. These cells may participate in the ascending limb of supraspinal reflexes initiated by renal receptors.

Renal afferent input to thoracolumbar spinal neurons of the cat

1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (3) ◽  
pp. R435-R443 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Ammons
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Compound Action Potential ◽  
Afferent Input ◽  
Renal Nerves ◽  
Spinal Neurons ◽  
Renal Nerve ◽  
Long Latency Responses ◽  
Long Latency ◽  
C Fiber ◽  
Somatic Receptive Fields

Responses of 65 thoracolumbar spinal neurons to electrical stimulation of the left renal nerves were examined in 19 cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Cells were found primarily in laminae V and VII of the T12-L2 segments on the left side of the spinal cord. Renal nerve stimulation excited 55 and inhibited 10 cells. Excitatory responses were characterized either by short latency or both short and long latency responses (means +/- SE: 13 +/- 1 and 68 +/- 7 ms). Recordings of the compound action potential in the least splanchnic nerve indicated that early responses resulted from A delta-renal afferent input and long latency responses from C-fiber renal input. Maximal responses to A delta-renal input (3.3 +/- 0.5 spikes/stimulus) were significantly greater than maximal responses to C-fiber renal input (1.5 +/- 0.3 spikes/stimulus). Inhibitory responses were best demonstrated by repetitive stimuli; however, responses of five cells to single stimuli showed that these responses had long latencies to onset (36 +/- 6 ms). All cells were excited or inhibited by somatic stimuli. Excitatory somatic receptive fields invariably included the left flank region and lower abdomen, occasionally included the left hindlimb, and in a few cases included the right hindlimb. Thirteen cells had both excitatory and inhibitory somatic receptive fields. The results show that thoracolumbar spinal neurons receive renal A delta- and C-fiber input that converges with input from somatic structures. These cells may participate in renal pain which is referred to somatic structures or reflexes initiated by renal afferent fibers.

Effects of intracardiac bradykinin on T2-T5 medial spinothalamic cells

1985 ◽  
Vol 249 (2) ◽  
pp. R147-R152 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. Ammons ◽  
M. N. Girardot ◽  
R. D. Foreman
Keyword(s):  
Cell Activity ◽  
Spinothalamic Tract ◽  
Medial Thalamus ◽  
Affective Component ◽  
C Fiber ◽  
Cell Groups ◽  
Somatic Input ◽  
Alpha Chloralose ◽  
Cardiac Pain ◽  
Lateral Nucleus

Effects of injecting bradykinin (2 micrograms/kg) into the left atrium on spinothalamic tract neurons projecting to medial thalamus (M-STT cells), to the ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus (L-STT cells), or to both (LM-STT cells) were examined in 18 monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Bradykinin increased cell activity in 11/16 M-STT cells, 10/15 L-STT cells, and 4/7 LM-STT cells. One M-STT cell was inhibited. Peak responses to bradykinin of the three cell groups were not different. LM-STT cells began to respond and reached peak responses slightly earlier than the other two groups. Six M-STT, four L-STT, and two LM-STT cells became entrained to the cardiac cycle during their responses to bradykinin. Responses to bradykinin were not dependent on the type of somatic input or cell location. Responding cells most often received A delta- and C-fiber sympathetic input, but some responding cells had only A delta-input. These results demonstrate that in addition to L-STT cells STT cells projecting to the medial thalamus respond to a potentially noxious cardiac stimulus. These cells may participate in the motivational-affective component of cardiac pain.

Cardiopulmonary Sympathetic Input Excites Primate Cuneothalamic Neurons: Comparison With Spinothalamic Tract Neurons

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 628-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret J. Chandler ◽  
Jianhua Zhang ◽  
Robert D. Foreman
Keyword(s):  
Discharge Rate ◽  
Stellate Ganglion ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Dorsal Column ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Noxious Stimulation ◽  
Spinothalamic Tract ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
Increased Activity ◽  
Stimulation Of

Chandler, Margaret J., Jianhua Zhang, and Robert D. Foreman. Cardiopulmonary sympathetic input excites primate cuneothalamic neurons: comparison with spinothalamic tract neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 628–637, 1998. Stimulation of cardiopulmonary sympathetic afferent fibers excites thoracic and cervical spinothalamic tract (STT) cells that respond primarily to noxious somatic stimuli. Neurons in dorsal column nuclei respond primarily to innocuous somatic inputs, but noxious stimulation of pelvic viscera activates gracile neurons. The purpose of this study was to compare effects of thoracic visceral input on cuneothalamic and STT neurons. Stellate ganglia of 17 anesthetized monkeys ( Macaca fascicularis) were stimulated electrically to activate cardiopulmonary sympathetic afferent fibers. Somatic receptive fields were manipulated with brush, tap, and pinch stimuli. Extracellular discharge rate was recorded for neurons antidromically activated from ventroposterolateral (VPL) thalamus. Stimulation of the ipsilateral stellate ganglion increased activity of 17 of 38 cuneothalamic neurons and of 1 gracilothalamic neuron with an upper body somatic field. Spinal cord transections showed that cardiopulmonary input to cuneothalamic neurons traveled in ipsilateral dorsal column and probably in dorsolateral funiculus. One of eight gracilothalamic neurons with lower body fields was inhibited by cardiopulmonary input, and none were excited. Stimulation of the ipsilateral stellate ganglion increased activity in 10 of 10 T3–T4 STT neurons. Evoked discharge rates, latencies to activation and durations of peristimulus histogram peaks were significantly less for cuneothalamic neurons compared with STT neurons. Furthermore, additional long latency peaks of activity developed in histograms for 6 of 10 STT neurons but never for cuneothalamic neurons. Contralateral cardiopulmonary sympathetic input did not excite cuneothalamic neurons but increased activity of 7 of 10 T3–T4 STT neurons. Most cuneothalamic neurons (24 of 31 cells tested) responded primarily to innocuous somatic stimuli, whereas STT neurons responded primarily or solely to noxious pinch of somatic fields. Neurons that responded to cardiopulmonary input most often had somatic fields located on proximal arm and chest. Results of this study showed that cardiopulmonary input was transmitted in dorsal pathways to cuneate nucleus and then to VPL thalamus and confirmed that STT neurons transmit nociceptive cardiopulmonary input to VPL thalamus. Differences in neuronal responses to noxious stimulation of cardiopulmonary sympathetic afferent fibers suggest that dorsal and ventrolateral pathways to VPL thalamus play different roles in the transmission and integration of nociceptive cardiac information.

scholarly journals Intrapericardiac injections of algogenic chemicals excite primate C1-C2 spinothalamic tract neurons

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (2) ◽  
pp. R560-R568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret J. Chandler ◽  
Jianhua Zhang ◽  
Chao Qin ◽  
Yu Yuan ◽  
Robert D. Foreman
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Vagal Afferents ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Spinothalamic Tract ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
Chemical Stimuli ◽  
Noxious Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
High Cervical ◽  
Increased Activity ◽  
Stimulation Of

Extracellular potentials of 38 C1-C2 spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons in anesthetized monkeys ( Macaca fascicularis) were examined for responses to intrapericardiac injections of an algogenic chemical mixture (adenosine, 10−3 M; bradykinin, prostaglandin E2, serotonin, histamine, each 10−5 M). Chemical stimulation of cardiac/pericardiac receptors increased activity of 21 cells, decreased activity of 5 cells, and did not change activity of 12 cells. Cells excited by chemical stimuli received input from noxious mechanical stimulation of somatic fields; most receptive fields included the neck, inferior jaw, or head areas. Nerve ablations in 11 cells excited by intrapericardiac chemicals showed that cardiac input activated by algogenic chemicals traveled primarily in vagal afferent fibers to C1-C2 segments; phrenic or cardiopulmonary sympathetic inputs were predominant in 2 of 11 cells. These results supported the concept that activation of cardiac vagal afferents might lead to the production of referred pain sensation in somatic fields innervated from high cervical segments.

Ascending pathways in the spinal cord involved in the activation of subnucleus reticularis dorsalis neurons in the medulla of the rat

1990 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Bing ◽  
L. Villanueva ◽  
D. Le Bars
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cervical Cord ◽  
Lateral Part ◽  
Neuronal Responses ◽  
C Fiber ◽  
Dorsal Columns ◽  
Dorsolateral Funiculus ◽  
The Right

1. Recordings were made from neurons in the left medullary subnucleus reticularis dorsalis (SRD) of anesthetized rats. Two populations of neurons were recorded: neurons with total nociceptive convergence (TNC), which gave responses to A delta- and C-fiber activation from the entire body after percutaneous electrical stimulation, and neurons with partial nociceptive convergence (PNC), which responded to identical stimuli with an A delta-peak regardless of which part of the body was stimulated and with a C-fiber peak of activation from some, mainly contralateral, parts of the body. 2. The effects of various, acute, transverse sections of the cervical (C4-C5) spinal cord on the A delta- and C-fiber-evoked responses were investigated by building poststimulus histograms (PSHs) after 50 trials of supramaximal percutaneous electrical stimulation of the extremity of either hindpaw (2-ms duration; 3 times threshold for C-fiber responses), before and 30-40 min after making the spinal lesion. 3. In the case of TNC neurons, hemisections of the left cervical cord blocked the responses elicited from the right hindpaw and slightly, but not significantly, diminished those evoked from the left hindpaw. Conversely, hemisections of the right cervical cord abolished TNC responses elicited from the left hindpaw without significantly affecting the responses elicited from the right hindpaw. 4. Lesioning the dorsal columns or the left dorsolateral funiculus was found not to affect the TNC neuronal responses elicited from either hindpaw. By contrast, lesioning the left lateral funiculus or the most lateral part of the ventrolateral funiculus, respectively, reduced and blocked the responses elicited from the right hindpaw without affecting those evoked from the left hindpaw. 5. After lesions that included the most lateral parts of the left ventral funiculus, PNC neuronal responses elicited from the right hindpaw were also abolished, whereas those elicited from the left hindpaw remained unchanged. 6. We conclude that the signals responsible for the activation of SRD neurons travel principally in the lateral parts of the ventrolateral quadrant, a region that classically has been implicated in the transmission of noxious information. Both a crossed and a double-crossed pathway are involved in this process. The postsynaptic fibers of the dorsal columns and the spinocervical and spinomesencephalic tracts do not appear to convey signals that activate SRD neurons. 7. The findings also suggest that lamina I nociceptive specific neurons, the axons of which travel within the dorsolateral funiculus, do not contribute very much to the activation of SRD neurons.

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