Low-frequency stimulation of trigeminal afferents induces long-term depression of human sensory processing.
Electric low-frequency stimulation (LFS) of afferent nerve fibers reliably induces long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission in vitro. LTD is suggested to be one important mechanism of synaptic plasticity in the mammalian brain. The study demonstrated an LTD of evoked cortical potentials (-30%) and perception ratings (-25%) by noxious electric LFS of trigeminal afferents in man, indicating that LTD may also be involved in human synaptic plasticity.
Ellrich
Jens
J
Department of Neurosurgery, Experimental Neurosurgery, University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. jellrich@ukaachen.de
Schorr
Anila
A
D000328:Adult; D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036881:Long-Term Synaptic Depression / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000502:physiology*