Maturational changes in the thermoalgesic system in humans from childhood to adulthood revealed by CO(2) laser evoked brain potentials following cutaneous heat stimuli.
Possible maturational changes in the thermoalgesic system were studied by reaction times (RT) and late (Adelta-fibre) laser evoked potentials (LEPs) following CO(2) laser heat stimulation of the hand in healthy children (n=12) and young adults (n=12). In children (10+/-2 years) LEPs presented a negative-positive complex with maximum amplitude (peak-to-peak 71+/-35 microV) at the vertex and latencies of 248+/-82 and 433+/-104 ms, respectively. As compared to adults (24+/-3 years), children had a significant increased peak-to-peak amplitude (+25.7 microV; P=0.03) although no difference in latencies and topography. Median RT (710 ms) was also significantly increased (+312 ms; P<0.005) in children. A decrease in RT and late LEP amplitude from childhood to adulthood may reflect aspects of maturation in sensory processing of the thermoalgesic system.
Opsommer
E
E
Université Catholique de Louvain, Faculty of Medicine, Avenue Emmanuel Mounier 53/READ 5375, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium. opsommer@read.ucl.ac.be
Plaghki
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology*