title: Direct isolation of ultra-late (C-fibre) evoked brain potentials by CO2 laser stimulation of tiny cutaneous surface areas in man.
abstract: In this study, it is reported that CO2 laser heat stimulation of tiny skin surface area (0.15 mm2) provides a unique method to directly and selectively activate C-fibre as assessed by the ultra-late brain potentials (peak latencies: N810, P996) evoked consistently across a set of stimulus energy levels. On a larger surface area (15.5 mm2), low energy stimulation also resulted in minute ultra-late potential, while higher intensities induced only late potentials related to A-delta fibre activity (peak latencies: N247, P394). The selective activation of C afferent sensory terminals in the skin by stimulation of tiny surface area is explained by their relative high density and lower activation threshold.
authors: Unité de Réadaptation el de Médecine physique, Université catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Bragard
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Chen
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Plaghki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide