Analgesia from Electrical Stimulation in the Brainstem of the Rat

• DOI: 10.1126/science.174.4016.1351
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T13:17:43Z
• Authors: David J. Mayer; Thomas L. Wolfle; Huda Akil; Brooks Carder; John C. Liebeskind
• Keywords: Male; Brain Mapping; Time Factors; Behavior, Animal; Tegmentum Mesencephali; 05 social sciences; Feeding Behavior; Electric Stimulation; Electrodes, Implanted; Rats; Aggression; Self Stimulation; Thalamus; Escape Reaction; Mesencephalon; Animals; Humans; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Analgesia; Diencephalon; Brain Stem

Stimulation at several mesencephalic and diencephalic sites abolished responsiveness to intense pain in rats while leaving responsiveness to other sensory modes relatively unaffected. The peripheral field of analgesia was usually restricted to one-half or to one quadrant of the body, and painful stimuli applied outside this field elicited a normal reaction. Analgesia outlasted stimulation by up to 5 minutes. Most electrode placements that produced analgesia also supported self-stimulation. One placement supported self-stimulation only in the presence of pain.