Effect of morphine-induced cortical excitation on spinal sensory transmission

✍ Scribed by A. Hernandez; R. Soto-Moyano

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 331 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0360-4012
• DOI: 10.1002/jnr.490150211

✦ Synopsis

Bioelectrical responses evoked in the ventrolateral funiculus (VLF) of the spinal cord by electrical stimulation of the contralateral hind limb were studied following topical application of 1 % morphine solution to the somatosensory SI area of the rat cerebral cortex. After morphine, a typical pattern was observed in the electrocorticogram, characterized by the appearance of rhythmic spiking activity. Timerelated with each cortical spike, a significant reduction in the amplitude of VLF responses was observed. It is concluded that cortical excitation induced by morphine generates descending influences having the ability to inhibit spinal sensory transmission.