Biomaterial Database

Supraspinal influences on nociceptive flexion reflex and pain sensation in man. 1979

J C Willer, and F Boureau, and D Albe-Fessard

The sensation of pain and the nociceptive flexion reflex of the biceps femoris muscle (RIII, Bi) elicited by electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral sural nerve were studied in human during 4 conditions: (1) a mental task; (2) a stress; (3) during noxious stimulation of the contralateral ulnar nerve; (4) after an intense noxious stimulation of the sural nerve itself. An inhibition of both pain sensation and RIII, Bi was observed in (1), while a facilitation of these parameters was noted in (2). In contrast, no change in RIII, Bi occurred in (3) while the pain sensation was inhibited. In (4), just after the noxious stimulation, there was a marked facilitation of RIII, Bi associated with increased pain sensation. However, 10--12 sec later, the pain sensation returned to its control values, while the RIII, Bi reflex was still facilitated. The latter recovered to its control values 28--30 sec later. These results show the possibility of a dissociation between afferent ascending nociceptive messages and nociceptive motor activity (in 3 and 4). They suggest that supraspinal descending influences can act differently on spinal dorsal horn neurons in the case of pain ascending volleys, and in the case of spinal nociceptive motor activity.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009412	Nerve Fibers	Slender processes of NEURONS, including the AXONS and their glial envelopes (MYELIN SHEATH). Nerve fibers conduct nerve impulses to and from the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cerebellar Mossy Fibers,Mossy Fibers, Cerebellar,Cerebellar Mossy Fiber,Mossy Fiber, Cerebellar,Nerve Fiber
D009433	Neural Inhibition	The function of opposing or restraining the excitation of neurons or their target excitable cells.	Inhibition, Neural
D009619	Nociceptors	Peripheral AFFERENT NEURONS which are sensitive to injuries or pain, usually caused by extreme thermal exposures, mechanical forces, or other noxious stimuli. Their cell bodies reside in the DORSAL ROOT GANGLIA. Their peripheral terminals (NERVE ENDINGS) innervate target tissues and transduce noxious stimuli via axons to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Pain Receptors,Receptors, Pain,Nociceptive Neurons,Neuron, Nociceptive,Neurons, Nociceptive,Nociceptive Neuron,Nociceptor,Pain Receptor
D011340	Problem Solving	A learning situation involving more than one alternative from which a selection is made in order to attain a specific goal.
D012018	Reflex	An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D002540	Cerebral Cortex	The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions.	Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D005260	Female		Females