Responses of neurons in and near the thalamic ventrobasal complex of the rat to stimulation of uterus, cervix, vagina, colon, and skin

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 557-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Berkley ◽  
G. Guilbaud ◽  
J. M. Benoist ◽  
M. Gautron
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Fields ◽  
The Body ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Caudal Part ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
The Core ◽  
Ventrobasal Complex ◽  
Gentle Pressure ◽  
Somatic Receptive Fields ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. Previous studies in the rat and other species have shown that neurons in and near the ventrobasal complex (VB) can be activated by various visceral as well as somatic stimuli. 2. This study examined the responses of 84 single neurons in and near the rostral 2/3 of VB in 19 adult female rats in estrus to mechanical stimulation of the skin (brush, pressure, noxious pinch) and 4 different visceral stimuli, as follows: distension of both uterine horns, mechanical probing of the vagina, gentle pressure against the cervix, and distension of the colon. The rats were studied while under moderate gaseous anesthesia (33% O2-67% N2O + 0.5% halothane) and paralyzed (pancuronium bromide). 3. Of 77 neurons tested with both somatic and visceral stimuli, 70 were responsive to one type and/or the other. Responses to somatic stimuli were immediate with brief afterdischarges to the pinch stimuli. In contrast, responses to visceral stimuli were delayed an average of 9 s with long afterdischarges averaging 2 min. Most viscerally responsive neurons (74%) had somatic receptive fields, often (44%) to noxious pinch. 4. Of the 70 responsive neurons, 43 (61%) responded to 1 or more of the 4 visceral stimuli, primarily with excitation. Most of these 43 neurons (71%) were responsive to uterine distension, whereas fewer responded to stimulation of the cervix (45%), vagina (29%), or colon (34%). 5. Viscerally responsive neurons were preferentially located in regions bordering or near VB. Only 6 of 22 neurons within the core of VB (27%) responded to visceral stimuli, in contrast with 37 of 48 neurons bordering or near VB (77%). 6. The six viscerally responsive neurons within VB all had somatic receptive fields located primarily on the caudal part of the body and were responsive to only one or two of the four visceral stimuli, usually the uterus. The 37 viscerally responsive neurons bordering or near VB were of 3 types. Neurons of the first type (n = 15) were scattered throughout the areas bordering VB and responded to both somatic and visceral stimuli much like VB neurons, except that they showed more visceral convergence. Neurons of the second type (n = 11) were concentrated at the rostral and dorsal borders of VB and responded only to visceral stimuli, mainly the uterus. Neurons of the third type (n = 11) were concentrated ventrally and had very complex, long-lasting and history-dependent response characteristics to both visceral and somatic stimuli.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Visceral and somatic afferent convergence onto neurons near the central canal in the sacral spinal cord of the cat

1985 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 1059-1078 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. N. Honda
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Central Canal ◽  
The Body ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pelvic Viscera ◽  
Somatic Receptive Fields ◽  
Sacral Spinal Cord ◽  
Stimulation Of

One hundred and sixty extracellularly and intracellularly recorded unitary discharges from the sacral or caudal spinal segments of 30 anemically decerebrated cats were studied to examine the effects of somatic and visceral afferent stimulation on neurons near the central canal (CC). The recorded unitary activity was histologically verified (by dye marks or horseradish peroxidase, HRP) as having come from the gray matter surrounding the CC that approximates Rexed's lamina X. In the absence of intentional stimulation or apparent injury by the recording electrode, 62% of the units exhibited ongoing discharges. Each unit was tested for responses to the stimulation of somatic (cutaneous and subcutaneous) and visceral (bladder and colon) structures. Seventy-six (48%) of the units responded exclusively to the stimulation of somatic receptive fields, and 10 (6%) of the units were selectively responsive to stimulation of the pelvic viscera. The activity of the remaining 74 (46%) was influenced by activity in both somatic and visceral afferent fibers. Eighteen of the 160 neurons were intracellularly marked with HRP. Based on perikaryal size and dendritic extent, it was possible to divide these cells into two partially overlapping groups. One group consisted of seven neurons with small to medium-sized perikarya, dendritic arbors largely restricted to the gray matter surrounding the CC, and small, singular somatic receptive fields. The second group comprised 11 cells with medium to large-sized soma and dendrites extending out of lamina X. These larger neurons usually possessed multiple, widely distributed somatic receptive fields. The principal finding of the present study is that in the sacral spinal cord many cells near the CC receive primary afferent inputs converging from a wide range of receptor types in somatic and visceral structures. Such neurons are capable of integrating afferent information from somatic structures on both sides of the body with information originating in pelvic viscera and midline regions such as the genitals.

External nucleus of inferior colliculus: auditory and spinal somatosensory afferents and their interactions

1978 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 837-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Aitkin ◽  
H. Dickhaus ◽  
W. Schult ◽  
M. Zimmermann
Keyword(s):  
Inferior Colliculus ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Tactile Stimulation ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
The Body ◽  
Central Nucleus ◽  
Auditory Input ◽  
Somatosensory Information ◽  
Somatic Receptive Fields ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. The discharges of 129 units were studied in the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus of 11 anesthetised and paralyzed cats. This region is known to receive fibers from auditory nuclei and the dorsal column nuclei. 2. Stimuli used were pure tone bursts, monaural or binaural, tactile stimulation of the body surface, and electrical stimulation of the dorsal columns (DC) at a low cervical level and of the contralateral and ipsilateral tibial nerves. 3. Forty-six percent of units were only influenced by one type of stimulation (26% auditory, 20% DC). Of the remaining bimodally influenced units, the majority was excited by pure tone stimuli and inhibited by DC stimulation. 4. A small proportion of the total population (18%) was excited by both DC and auditory input, and units sensitive to both tones and tactile stimulation of the skin were rare (4%). 5. Auditory tuning curves were generally very broad compared with those of units in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus. Similarly, somatic receptive fields were large and usually extended over a whole limb. 6. The majority of tone-responsive units were influenced binaurally (70%); most somatic receptive fields were located on the contralateral fore- or hindlimb (16/18). 7. The results indicate that both auditory and somatosensory information is contained in the discharges of units in the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus. 8. Speculations are made about the role of this nucleus in descending auditory input to the spinal cord and in the comparison of auditory and cutaneous information during sound-evoked coordinated body movements.

The processing of mechanosensory information by spiking local interneurons in the locust

1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
The Body ◽  
Direct Stimulation ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Local Interneurons ◽  
Metathoracic Ganglion ◽  
Different Response ◽  
Individual Motor ◽  
Stimulation Of

The responses and receptive fields of a group of spiking local interneurons in the metathoracic ganglion of the locust were defined by making intracellular recordings from them while moving joints of a hindleg and stimulating external mechanoreceptors. Some interneurons respond both to inputs from internal mechanoreceptors (proprioceptors) at particular joints and to inputs from an array of external mechanoreceptors. The effects of both types of receptor can be excitatory or inhibitory. Other interneurons respond to proprioceptive input alone. There is a spectrum of responses. At one extreme are interneurons that respond tonically, the frequency of their spikes being determined by the angle of a particular joint. At the other extreme are interneurons that respond phasically to imposed movements of a joint in any direction. Inbetween are interneurons that respond with either a rapidly or a more slowly adapting change in the frequency of their spikes to the displacement of a joint in only one direction. Each movement of a particular joint excites or inhibits several interneurons with a range of different response characteristics. An interneuron typically receives inputs from only one joint, though some are excited by both femoral and tibial receptors. The interneurons spike during active movements of a leg elicited by direct stimulation of individual motor neurons, and during movements elicited by tactile stimulation of other parts of the body.

Microstimulation in the Region of the Human Thalamic Principal Somatic Sensory Nucleus Evokes Sensations Like Those of Mechanical Stimulation and Movement

2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 736-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinji Ohara ◽  
Nirit Weiss ◽  
Fred A. Lenz
Keyword(s):  
Relative Density ◽  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Muscle Afferents ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Core ◽  
Sensory Nucleus ◽  
Stimulation Of

We explored the region of human thalamic somatic sensory nucleus (ventral caudal, Vc), corresponding to monkey ventral posterior (VP), with threshold microstimulation (TMIS) during stereotactic procedures for the treatment of tremor. Of 122 sites in 116 patients (124 thalami) where mechanical (touch, pressure, and sharp) or movement [movement through the body (movement) and vibration] sensations were evoked, 72 sites were found in the core or in adjacent regions, posterior-inferior (33), inferior (4), and posterior to the core (13). Sites where TMIS evoked touch were less frequently found in the core than those where movement or pressure sensations were evoked. Pressure was more commonly ( P < 0.05) evoked than vibration at sites where cells had intraoral receptive fields (RFs). Touch and vibration were more commonly ( P < 0.05) evoked than pressure at sites where cells had facial RFs, consistent with the relative density of rapidly adapting (RA) receptors in the mouth and face. Sites described as deep and movement were found superior and anterior in the core, consistent with the location of cells responding to stimulation of muscle afferents. At 72 of 122 sites, TMIS evoked the same sensation at two or more sites in the same plane. Of these sites, 58 are adjacent to each other, in a cluster, consistent with studies of the localization of cells responding to different modalities. These results demonstrate that mechanical and movement sensations can be evoked by stimulation in the region of Vc. The characteristics of these sites suggest that the sensations are evoked by stimulation of pathways specific to cutaneous and deep mechanoreceptors.

Response properties and synaptic connections of mechanoafferent neurons in cerebral ganglion of Aplysia

1979 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 954-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Rosen ◽  
K. R. Weiss ◽  
I. Kupfermann
Keyword(s):  
Receptive Field ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Cerebral Ganglion ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sensory Response ◽  
Tactile Stimuli ◽  
Dorsal Portion ◽  
Intracellular Stimulation ◽  
Stimulation Of

1. The cells of two clusters of small neurons on the ventrocaudal surface of each hemicerebral ganglion of Aplysia were found to exhibit action potentials following tactile stimuli applied to the skin of the head. These neurons appear to be mechanosensory afferents since they possess axons in the nerves innervating the skin and tactile stimulation evokes spikes with no prepotentials, even when the cell bodies are sufficiently hyperpolarized to block some spikes. The mechanosensory afferents may be primary afferents since the sensory response persists after chemical synaptic transmission is blocked by bathing the ganglion and peripheral structures in seawater with a high-Mg2+ and low-Ca2+ content. 2. The mechanosensory afferents are normally silent and are insensitive to photic, thermal, and chemical stimuli. A punctate tactile stimulus applied to a circumscribed region of skin can evoke a burst of spikes. If the stimulus is maintained at a constant forces, the mechanosensory response slowly adapts over a period of seconds. Repeated brief stimuli have little or no effect on spike frequency within a burst. 3. Approximately 81% of the mechanoafferent neurons have a single ipsilateral receptive field. The fields are located on the lips, the anterior tentacles, the dorsal portion of the head, the neck, or the perioral zone. Because many cells have collateral axons in the cerebral connectives, receptive fields elsewhere on the body are a possibility. The highest receptive-field density was associated with the lips. Within each area, receptive fields vary in size and shape. Adjacent fields overlap and larger fields frequently encompass several smaller ones. The features of some fields appear invariant from one animal to the next. A loose form of topographic organization of the mechanoafferent cells was observed. For example, cells located in the medial cluster have lip receptive fields, and most cells in the posterolateral portion of the lateral clusters have tentacle receptive fields. 4. Intracellular stimulation of individual mechanoafferents evokes short and constant-latency EPSPs in putative motor neurons comprising the identified B-cell clusters of the cerebral ganglion. On the basis of several criteria, these EPSPs appear to be several criteria, these EPSPs appear to be chemically mediated and are monosynaptic. 5. Repetitive intracellular stimulation of individual mechanoafferent neurons at low rates results in a gradual decrement in the amplitude of the EPSPs evoked in B cluster neurons. EPSP amplitude can be restored following brief periods of rest, but subsequent stimulation leads to further diminution of the response. 6. A decremented response cannot be restored by strong mechanical stimulation outside the receptive field of the mechanoafferent or by electrical stimulation of the cerebral nerves or connectives...

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.

scholarly journals Comparing Caenorhabditis elegans gentle and harsh touch response behavior using a multiplexed hydraulic microfluidic device

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick D. McClanahan ◽  
Joyce H. Xu ◽  
Christopher Fang-Yen
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Microfluidic Device ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Touch Receptor Neurons ◽  
Touch Response ◽  
Receptor Neurons

AbstractThe roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model system for understanding the genetics and physiology of touch. Classical assays for C. elegans touch, which involve manually touching the animal with a probe and observing its response, are limited by their low throughput and qualitative nature. We developed a microfluidic device in which several dozen animals are subject to spatially localized mechanical stimuli with variable amplitude. The device contains 64 sinusoidal channels through which worms crawl, and hydraulic valves that deliver touch stimuli to the worms. We used this assay to characterize the behavioral responses to gentle touch stimuli and the less well studied harsh (nociceptive) touch stimuli. First, we measured the relative response thresholds of gentle and harsh touch. Next, we quantified differences in the receptive fields between wild type worms and a mutant with non-functioning posterior touch receptor neurons. We showed that under gentle touch the receptive field of the anterior touch receptor neurons extends into the posterior half of the body. Finally, we found that the behavioral response to gentle touch does not depend on the locomotion of the animal immediately prior to the stimulus, but does depend on the location of the previous touch. Responses to harsh touch, on the other hand, did not depend on either previous velocity or stimulus location. Differences in gentle and harsh touch response characteristics may reflect the different innervation of the respective mechanosensory cells. Our assay will facilitate studies of mechanosensation, sensory adaptation, and nociception.

Defensive Movements Evoked by Air Puff in Monkeys

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 3317-3329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan F. Cooke ◽  
Michael S. A. Graziano
Keyword(s):  
Startle Response ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Initial Position ◽  
The Body ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
Cortical Areas ◽  
The Face ◽  
Ventral Intraparietal Area ◽  
Specific Reactions ◽  
Stimulation Of

Electrical stimulation of two connected cortical areas in the monkey brain, the ventral intraparietal area (VIP) in the intraparietal sulcus and the polysensory zone (PZ) in the precentral gyrus, evokes a specific set of movements. In one interpretation, these movements correspond to those typically used to defend the body from objects that are near, approaching, or touching the skin. The present study examined the movements evoked by a puff of air aimed at various locations on the face and body of fascicularis monkeys to compare them to the movements evoked by stimulation of VIP and PZ. The air-puff-evoked movements included a movement of the eyes from any initial position toward a central region and a variety of stereotyped facial, shoulder, head, and arm movements. These movements were similar to those reported on stimulation of VIP and PZ. One difference between the air-puff-evoked movements and those evoked by stimulation of VIP and PZ is that the air puff evoked an initial startle response (a bilaterally symmetric spike in muscle activity) followed by a more sustained, lateralized response, specific to the site of the air puff. In contrast, stimulation of VIP and PZ evoked mainly a sustained, lateralized response, specific to the site of the receptive fields of the stimulated neurons. We speculate that VIP and PZ may contribute to the control of defensive movements, but that they may emphasize the more spatially specific reactions that occur after startle.

Characterization of responses of T2-T4 spinal cord neurons to esophageal distension in the rat

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 868-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Euchner-Wamser ◽  
J. N. Sengupta ◽  
G. F. Gebhart ◽  
S. T. Meller
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spontaneous Activity ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
The Body ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Response Threshold ◽  
Response Functions ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Spinal Segments ◽  
Somatic Receptive Fields

1. Three hundred fifty neurons in the T2-T4 spinal segments of 38 intact, pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized, pancuronium-paralyzed male rats were examined for somatic receptive fields and responses to midthoracic esophageal distension (ED). Recordings were made at a depth of 0.1–1.45 mm from the dorsal spinal cord surface and from the midline to approximately 1.0 mm lateral. 2. Fifty-six of the 350 total neurons (16%) responded to ED, produced by air inflation of a latex balloon (0.5–1.5 ml). Most of these 56 neurons (84%) were excited by ED, and all except one were excited at a short latency (< 2 s) to stimulus onset. The response to ED in about one-half of all excited neurons terminated abruptly with termination of the stimulus; the other neurons exhibited an afterdischarge of 5 to > 80 s. Repeated ED at a constant intensity (1.25 ml, 30 s every 6 min) produced stable and reproducible responses of neurons excited by ED. Twenty-one percent of neurons that responded to ED were antidromically invaded from the spinomedullary junction. 3. Graded ED (0.5–1.5 ml, 30 s every 6 min) produced linear and accelerating stimulus-response functions in the 29 neurons tested. The mean threshold for distension, determined with a least-squares regression analysis, was extrapolated to near 0.5 ml of distending volume, and no difference in response threshold was found between neuronal groups with or without after-discharge. 4. The spontaneous activity of 7 of the 56 neurons (12.5%) that responded to ED was inhibited by the stimulus. Stimulus-response functions for four neurons inhibited by ED were intensity dependent. The spontaneous activity of these neurons was inhibited to a mean of 24.5% of the prestimulus control by 1.25 ml ED. 5. Two neurons of the total sample of 56 (3.5%) responded to ED (1.50 ml) in a biphasic excitatory-inhibitory manner. The excitatory component of excitatory-inhibitory neurons encoded the intensity of ED; the inhibitory component during the second half of ED was apparent only at greater distending volumes (1.25–1.5 ml). 6. Somatic receptive fields were found for 303/350 neurons, and 98% were located on the thorax and proximal forearm (all ipsilateral). Five neurons in T2–T4 spinal segments had their cutaneous receptive fields located on caudal parts of the body (tail, hindleg, scrotum).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Sensorimotor Integration in the Precentral Gyrus: Polysensory Neurons and Defensive Movements

2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 1648-1660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan F. Cooke ◽  
Michael S. A. Graziano
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Sensorimotor Integration ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
The Body ◽  
Auditory Stimuli ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
Defensive Reaction ◽  
Defensive Reactions ◽  
The Face ◽  
Stimulation Of

The precentral gyrus of monkeys contains a polysensory zone in which the neurons respond to tactile, visual, and sometimes auditory stimuli. The tactile receptive fields of the polysensory neurons are usually on the face, arms, or upper torso, and the visual and auditory receptive fields are usually confined to the space near the tactile receptive fields, within about 30 cm of the body. Electrical stimulation of this polysensory zone, even in anesthetized animals, evokes a specific set of movements. The movements resemble those typically used to defend the body from objects that are near, approaching, or touching the skin. In the present study, to determine whether the stimulation-evoked movements represent a normal set of defensive movements, we tested whether they include a distinctive, nonsaccadic, centering movement of the eyes that occurs during defensive reactions. We report that this centering movement of the eyes is evoked by stimulation of sites in the polysensory zone. We also recorded the activity of neurons in the polysensory zone while the monkey made defensive reactions to an air puff on the face. The neurons became active during the defensive movement, and the magnitude of this activity was correlated with the magnitude of the defensive reaction. These results support the hypothesis that the polysensory zone in the precentral gyrus contributes to the control of defensive movements. More generally, the results support the view that the precentral gyrus can control movement at the level of complex sensorimotor tasks.

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