A new method to increase nociception specificity of the human blink reflex.
OBJECTIVE
The medullary R2 response of the blink reflex can be elicited by innocuous and noxious stimuli. The purpose of this study was to elicit a nociception specific R2 response with a new surface electrode.


METHODS
In 10 healthy subjects the blink reflex was elicited using a standard (10-15 mA) and a new concentric surface electrode type (0.6-1.6 mA) which produces a pin-prick-like pain.


RESULTS
After topical local anaesthesia with lignocaine/prilocaine R1 was unchanged, R2 was attenuated by 12% after standard stimulation but was almost abolished (-91%) with the new electrode type.


CONCLUSIONS
Stimulation with low stimulus intensities but electrode-dependent high current density allows preferential depolarization of superficial nociceptive A-delta fibres. This new method is less traumatic than others and is useful in the study of trigeminal nociception.
Kaube
H
H
Institute of Neurology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK. holgerk@ion.ucl.ac.uk
Katsarava
Z
Z
Käufer
T
T
Diener
H
H
Ellrich
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001767:Blinking / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity