Unmyelinated tactile afferents underpin detection of low-force monofilaments.
Human hairy but not glabrous skin has unmyelinated (C) tactile (CT) afferents that project to insular cortex. We studied two subjects with the rare sensory neuronopathy syndrome who lack A-beta fibers but have relatively preserved C-fiber function. Weak monofilaments were detected on hairy skin alone. Hence, the ability to detect light touch does not depend entirely on the A-beta somatosensory system; CT afferents may contribute to the detection of weak monofilaments.
Cole
Jonathan
J
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Poole Hospital and University of Bournemouth, Bournemouth, United Kingdom.
Bushnell
M Catherine
MC
McGlone
Francis
F
Elam
Mikael
M
Lamarre
Yves
Y
Vallbo
Ake
A
Olausson
Håkan
H
D000328:Adult; D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011601:Psychophysics; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*