Exp Neurobiol.  2017 Apr;26(2):90-96. 10.5607/en.2017.26.2.90.

Pulse-train Stimulation of Primary Somatosensory Cortex Blocks Pain Perception in Tail Clip Test

• Lee S
• Hwang E
• Lee D
• Choi JH

• KMID: 2376576
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2017.26.2.90

Abstract

Human studies of brain stimulation have demonstrated modulatory effects on the perception of pain. However, whether the primary somatosensory cortical activity is associated with antinociceptive responses remains unknown. Therefore, we examined the antinociceptive effects of neuronal activity evoked by optogenetic stimulation of primary somatosensory cortex. Optogenetic transgenic mice were subjected to continuous or pulse-train optogenetic stimulation of the primary somatosensory cortex at frequencies of 15, 30, and 40 Hz, during a tail clip test. Reaction time was measured using a digital high-speed video camera. Pulse-train optogenetic stimulation of primary somatosensory cortex showed a delayed pain response with respect to a tail clip, whereas no significant change in reaction time was observed with continuous stimulation. In response to the pulse-train stimulation, video monitoring and local field potential recording revealed associated paw movement and sensorimotor rhythms, respectively. Our results show that optogenetic stimulation of primary somatosensory cortex at beta and gamma frequencies blocks transmission of pain signals in tail clip test.

Keyword

optogenetic stimulation; tail clip test; sensorimotor rhythms; primary somatosensory cortex; pain perception

MeSH Terms

Animals
Brain
Humans
Mice
Mice, Transgenic
Neurons
Optogenetics
Pain Perception*
Reaction Time
Somatosensory Cortex*
Tail*