Encoding of cutaneous stimuli by lamina I projection neurons

Chisholm, K. I., Lo Re, L., Polgár, E., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M. , Todd, A. J. and McMahon, S. B. (2021) Encoding of cutaneous stimuli by lamina I projection neurons. Pain, 162(9), pp. 2405-2417. (doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002226) (PMID:33769365) (PMCID:PMC8374708)

[img] Text
238397.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

1MB

Abstract

Lamina I of the dorsal horn, together with its main output pathway, lamina I projection neurons, has long been implicated in the processing of nociceptive stimuli, as well as the development of chronic pain conditions. However, the study of lamina I projection neurons is hampered by technical challenges, including the low throughput and selection biases of traditional electrophysiological techniques. Here we report on a technique that uses anatomical labelling strategies and in vivo imaging to simultaneously study a network of lamina I projection neurons in response to electrical and natural stimuli. Although we were able to confirm the nociceptive involvement of this group of cells, we also describe an unexpected preference for innocuous cooling stimuli. We were able to characterize the thermal responsiveness of these cells in detail and found cooling responses decline when exposed to stable cold temperatures maintained for more than a few seconds, as well as to encode the intensity of the end temperature, while heating responses showed an unexpected reliance on adaptation temperatures.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This project was supported by a strategic award from the Wellcome Trust (102645/Z/13/Z).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gutierrez-Mecinas, Dr Maria and Beresford-Polgar, Dr Erika and Todd, Professor Andrew
Creator Roles:
Polgár, E.Methodology, Writing – original draft
Gutierrez-Mecinas, M.Methodology, Writing – original draft
Todd, A. J.Writing – original draft
Authors: Chisholm, K. I., Lo Re, L., Polgár, E., Gutierrez-Mecinas, M., Todd, A. J., and McMahon, S. B.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:Pain
Publisher:Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
ISSN:0304-3959
ISSN (Online):1872-6623
Published Online:24 March 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Pain 162(9): 2405-2417
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record