title: [Intracellular electrophysiological characteristics of visceral nociceptive neurons in cortex S I area of cats].
abstract: In the present work we investigated electrophysiological properties of visceral nociceptive neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI). Intracellular recordings of 851 neurons in the representing area of greater splanchnic nerve (GSN) in SI area were made in 22 cats. The neurons showed a variety of modes in spontaneous discharges, which could be classified into visceral nociceptive neurons (VNNs) and non-visceral nociceptive neurons (NVNNs). VNNs (412) could be further divided into specific and non-specific subtypes, with three distinct response modes: excitatory, inhibitory, and mixed response. These responses were characterized by longer latency and complex responsive fashion. In addition, 85 single convergence neurons induced by input from GSN and intercostal nerve were observed. Neurobiotin was injected into some of the cells by electrophoresis to identify the depth and morphology following recordings. The results indicated that VNNs were located in the SI area.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Brain Research Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: G X
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Teng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013153:Splanchnic Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014781:Viscera / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017833:Visceral Afferents / Q000503:physiopathology