title: Activation of carotid sinus baroreceptors reduces pain sensations evoked by electrical and cold stimulation of human teeth.
abstract: Activation of carotid sinus baroreceptors (CSBs) has been shown to have an influence on the perception of pain evoked by electrical stimulation of the skin. The present work was carried out to study to what extent dental pain can be modulated by simultaneous activation of CSBs. In 19 healthy voluntary human subjects, activation of CSBs was induced by application of negative pressure to an air tight collar fitted around the neck of the subjects (neck suction). Dental pain was evoked by electrical stimulation of the tooth (determination of the pain threshold) and by cold stimulation of teeth (ratings of the pain intensity). Neck suction resulted in an elevation of the dental pain thresholds and a reduction of the ratings of the cold-evoked dental pain. The present findings support the suggestion of the interaction of cardiovascular control systems with trigeminal nociceptive systems.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Apkarian
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jyväsjärvi
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Kniffki
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Mengel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stiefenhofer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000294:innervation*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011311:Pressoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014098:Toothache / Q000503:physiopathology*