Capsaicin-induced excitation of locus coeruleus neurons
The noradrenergic pontine nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) seems to be involved in sensory processing. In the present study, the effect of capsaicin, a drug which specifically interferes with chemosensitive primary afferents, on LC firing rate was analysed, utilizing electrophysiological techniques. In...
Elmentve itt :
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| Dokumentumtípus: | Cikk |
| Megjelent: |
1987
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| Sorozat: | ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
129 No. 3 |
| Tárgyszavak: | |
| doi: | 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1987.tb08086.x |
| mtmt: | 1339567 |
| Online Access: | http://publicatio.bibl.u-szeged.hu/32978 |
| Tartalmi kivonat: | The noradrenergic pontine nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) seems to be involved in sensory processing. In the present study, the effect of capsaicin, a drug which specifically interferes with chemosensitive primary afferents, on LC firing rate was analysed, utilizing electrophysiological techniques. In control rats, low doses of capsaicin (1-8 micrograms kg-1 i.v.) caused a marked excitation of LC units. The effect was instantaneous in onset but short-lasting and no signs of tachyphylaxis were observed. The excitation was maintained in adult rats treated as neonates with high doses of capsaicin (50 mg kg-1 s.c.) but almost totally prevented by pretreatment of adult rats with high doses of capsaicin (300 mg kg-1 s.c.). According to our histological data, using selective silver impregnation techniques, the LC seems not to receive innervation by sensory primary afferents. It is proposed that the capsaicin-induced excitation of LC neurons is a centrally mediated effect and might, in part, be involved in the analgetic effect induced by the drug. |
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| Terjedelem/Fizikai jellemzők: | 415-420 |
| ISSN: | 0001-6772 |