title: Effectiveness of topical anesthetics on reducing tactile sensitivity in the paws of newborn rats.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three local, topical anesthetics on touch response thresholds of the paws of 1-day-old rats. Touch response thresholds were measured using Semmes Weinstein monofilaments after treatment of the paws with EMLA (2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine), alcaine (.5% proparacaine), triocaine (20% benzocaine, 6% lidocaine, and 4% tetracaine), or petroleum jelly (treatment control). Touch thresholds significantly increased after treatment with EMLA 18% of the time, and there was no evidence of a systemic effect. Touch thresholds were not significantly altered after treatment with alcaine, triocaine, or petroleum jelly. Therefore, EMLA appears to be a slightly effective topical anesthetic for reducing tactile sensitivity in newborn rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, 921 S 8th Ave, Stop 8112, Pocatello, ID 83209-8112.
authors.forename: Misty M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Strain
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vineyard
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Roberto
authors.forename: Michele R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Brumley
mesh_terms: D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects; D013748:Tetracaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014110:Touch / Q000187:drug effects*; D055698:Touch Perception / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D011318:Prilocaine; D013748:Tetracaine; D008012:Lidocaine