Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1989 ; 14(4): 424-7.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on nociceptive responses observed on different days after lesion of unilateral somatosensory cortex]

Xu W, Yan YH, Chen ZQ.

In this paper the effects of electroacupuncture on nociceptive responses were investigated after electrolytic lesion of unilateral somatosensory cortex on different days. It was found that the tail flick latencies (TFL) elicited by radiant heat was not obviously changed by EA (n = 10, P greater than 0.05) on the same day and the next day after the somatosensory cortex was injured, but the enhancement of TFL by EA was of statistical significance on the 7th day (n = 9, p less than 0.05). These results indicate that the effect of EA analgesia was attenuated after lesion of the somatosensory cortex unilaterally. However, it could be recovered after a period of time. It is suggested that the somatosensory cortex is involved in the descending modulation of nociceptive responses at the spinal level, although it may not be the essential structure.