Neurophysiological Correlates of Nociceptive Heterosynaptic Long-Term Potentiation in Humans

• DOI: 10.1152/jn.00979.2009
• Publication Date: 2010-02-17T22:00:44Z
• Authors: Emanuel N. van de...; Clementina M. van...; José A. Biurrun M...; Ole K. Andersen; Lars Arendt-Nielsen; Oliver H. G. Wild...
• Keywords: Functional electrical stimulation

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a cellular model of synaptic plasticity and reflects an increase strength. LTP also present in the nociceptive system believed to be one key mechanisms involved manifestations chronic pain. manifested as increased response pain perception can induced humans using high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS). The aim this study was induce spinal heterosynaptic HFS investigate its heterotopic effects on event-related potentials (ERPs) repeated nonpainful cutaneous stimuli possible electrophysiological cortical correlate sensitization. Twenty-two healthy subjects were randomly assigned two experimental conditions: control stimulation. Before after stimulation, both conditions received mechanical (pinprick) paired test quantify confirm behavioral level. ERPs measured simultaneously. Conditioning resulted significant 30 min, including perceived intensity compared with control. accompanied by significantly enhanced responses regarding ERP N1-P2 peak-to-peak P300 amplitude These findings suggest that capable producing not only behaviorally but ERPs.