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Descending control of spinal nociceptive transmission. Actions produced on spinal multireceptive neurones from the nuclei locus coeruleus (LC) and raphe magnus (NRM)

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Summary

The effects of electrical stimulation in the nuclei locus coeruleus (LC) and raphe magnus (NRM) were examined on the background and/or evoked discharge of neurones in the spinal dorsal horn of anaesthetized cats. These were qualitatively, and in most cases quantitatively similar, in their action on multireceptive neurones. In these neurones an inhibitory action on the discharge evoked by noxious cutaneous stimuli or by activation of Aδ and C fibres was most prominent although in some neurones (22%) an initial excitation lasting up to 100 ms preceded the inhibition which could last up to 1 s. Excitation alone was observed in only 3% of multireceptive neurones. Electrical stimulation also produced an inhibitory action on the discharge of low threshold mechanoreceptive neurones (80%). In four of ten multireceptive neurones examined in detail, LC stimulation produced a selective inhibitory action on the discharge evoked by noxious cutaneous stimuli. In the remaining six multireceptive neurones it was partially selective against noxious as compared with non-noxious inputs. The inhibitory action was also more pronounced on the discharge evoked by activity in Aδ and C fibres than fast conducting afferents. The inhibitory action evoked by electrical stimulation in LC on nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord is suggested to play a part in mediating analgesia from LC.

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Abbreviations

6:

Abducens nucleus

BC:

Brachium Conjunctivum

BP:

Brachium Pontis Dorsal Nucleus of Raphe

DRM:

Medial division

TD:

Dorsal Tegmental nucleus

7L:

Facial Nucleus lateral division

7M:

Facial Nucleus medial Division

V4:

Fourth ventricle

7G:

Genu of the Facial Nerve

IC:

Inferior Colliculus

SOL, SOM:

Lateral, Medial Nucleus of Superior Olive

BCM:

Marginal Nucleus of the Brachium conjunctivum

5ME:

Mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus

5M:

Motor Trigeminal Nucleus

LC:

Nucleus locus coeruleus

PH:

Nucleus praepositus hypoglossi

NRM:

Nucleus Raphe Magnus

P:

Pyramidal tract

PPR:

Postpyramidal Nucleus of the Raphe

SC:

Subcoeruleus

CS:

Superior Central Nucleus

TB:

trapezoid body

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Author notes

  1. J. A. McMillan

    Present address: Department of Biology, Montana State University, MT 59717, Bozeman, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, EH9 1QH, Edinburgh, UK

    S. S. Mokha, J. A. McMillan & A. Iggo

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  3. A. Iggo
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Mokha, S.S., McMillan, J.A. & Iggo, A. Descending control of spinal nociceptive transmission. Actions produced on spinal multireceptive neurones from the nuclei locus coeruleus (LC) and raphe magnus (NRM). Exp Brain Res 58, 213–226 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00235305

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