Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1989 ; 14(4): 414-9.

[The effect of electrical stimulation of the head of caudate nociceptive neuronal activities in the mesencephalon reticular formation and its relation to the acupuncture effect]

Gao ML, Zhang JM, Liu YR.

38 rabbits were anesthetized with chloralose and urethane. As soon as the animal recovered its consciousness it was immobilized with flaxedil and artificial respiration. The electrical activities of the nociceptive neurons were recorded by glass microelectrodes (tip 1-3 microns) in the ranges P7-11 R2-3 HO+1-6, with the aid of a stereotaxic apparatus. 116 of the nociceptive units responded to noxious stimuli which applied to the peroneal nerve with a short train of pulses. Among them, 64 units (55%) responded by an increase in frequency of the discharge to noxious stimuli (pain-excitation neuron, PEN). In contrast, there were 52 units (45%), which responded to noxious stimuli quite differently, by having a decrease in the frequency of the discharge (pain-inhibition neuron, PIN). Similar results were obtained by the stimulation of the head of caudate nucleus with the same train of pulses: an excitatory effect was observed in PEN, and an inhibitory effect in PIN. However, after electroacupuncture by penetrating acupoint "Hegu" or dolantin given intravenously, under the same conditions used above. We again stimulated both the head of caudate nucleus, eliciting an inhibitory effect on PEN. And a reduction of inhibition or release from it on PIN. From the results presented, it indicated that head of caudate nucleus was connected with the modulation of the nociceptive neuronal activity in M.R.F. and was related to the effect of acupuncture. The effect of atropine on the head of caudate nucleus stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)