Age-related changes in excitability of nociceptive flexion reflex. An electrophysiological study in school-age children and young adults.
By stimulating the sural nerve at the retromalleolar level and recording EMG response from biceps femoris muscle two components can be evoked: RII (shorter latency, lower threshold, non-nociceptive) and RIII (longer latency, higher threshold, nociceptive). RIII reflex represents a useful tool for pain research in humans since a close correlation exists between the reflex threshold and that of pain. In our study, latency, amplitude, duration and threshold of RII and RIII reflexes were investigated in school-age children (aged 7-14 years) and young adults. RIII threshold was significantly lowered in children, while the other parameters were similar in both groups. Our data suggest the existence of a reduced inhibitory descending control in nociceptive spinal neurones in children.
Sandrini
G
G
Department of Neurology, C. Mondino Foundation; University of Pavia, Italy.
Alfonsi
E
E
Ruiz
L
L
Livieri
C
C
Verri
A P
AP
Nappi
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D012018:Reflex; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000502:physiology