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Summary: BrainResearch,288(1983)325-329 325
Elsevier
Changes in the effects of stimulation of locus coeruleus and nucleus raphe
magnus following dorsal rhizotomy
CHARLES J. HODGE, Jr., A. VANIA APKARIAN, MICHAELP. OWEN and BRIAN S. HANSON
Department of Neurosurgery, 750EastAdams Street, Syracuse, NY13210 (U.S.A.)
(Accepted August 16th, 1983)
Key words: locuscoeruleus-- nucleusraphe magnus-- dorsal horn -- deafferentation
The effectsof stimulatinglocuscoeruleus (LC) and nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) on lumbar dorsal horn cellsthat had been dener-
vated bydorsal rhizotomywere studied. Both LC and NRM stimulationinhibited the responsesofdorsalhorn cellsfrom the side ofthe
cord withintact dorsal roots. However, when cellsfrom the side of the spinalcord that had had prior rhizotomieswere studied, half of
the unitswere shownto be activated byeither LC or NRM stimulation.
Spinal deafferentation causes dorsal horn cell hy-
peractivity in both humans 14 and other species]5,t6.
Deafferentation leads to clinical pain syndromes at
times14,19,20,25, and has been used to create experi-
mental pain models 1,4,17. Deafferentation pain is
poorly responsive to opiates 18 and at times is made
worse by opiate injections. Stimulation of brain sites,
such as the periventricular grey, associated with
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