Altered properties and laminar distribution of neuronal responses to peripheral stimulation in the SmI cortex of the arthritic rat.
The properties of the neuronal responses to different types of mechanical peripheral stimulation were studied during electrode penetrations in the first somatosensory cortex of anaesthetized rats with polyarthritis. Very few neurons were driven by light cutaneous stimulation (such as brushing) or by intense mechanical stimulation. Most of the neurons were driven by joint movement and/or moderate pressure on the skin. These neurons could be found in all cortical layers, the majority being located in layer V. These results contrast sharply with the properties and laminar distribution of the different functional categories of cortical neurons, as observed in normal animals.
D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D007596:Joints / Q000294:innervation; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology