NEURAL MECHANISMS OF NOCICEPTION IN THE FACE AND MOUTH

这些研究的总体目的是增加我们对 神经机制参与调节知觉的 疼痛。未来3年拟进行的研究的具体目标 几年来，我们将延续我们在 当前授权期：(1)途径的功能 从脑干尾侧亚核(SNC)上行 三叉神经(V)核至腹外侧眶皮质(VLO) 丘脑内侧亚核(Sm)的一种传递和(2) 感觉激活的V系统神经元的特征 刺激脑血管。最新解剖学研究 已经描述了一条起源于SNC边缘层的通路。 在Sm中继站，在VLO中端接。有力的间接证据 这表明这一途径特别参与了 疼痛信号的处理和传递。没有生理学研究 除了我们自己之外，我们已经解决了这一潜在的非常重要的问题 路径。此外，几乎什么都不知道关于 与脑血管相关的感觉感受器。这些 据信，V类传入神经参与了血管性头痛，如 偏头痛，因此具有重要的科学和临床意义 确定它们的生理特性。这些研究将是 在麻醉的大鼠和猫身上进行，主要使用 单细胞电生理记录技术。这些研究 将描述SNC中神经元的功能特性 投射到Sm，以及Sm和VLo的神经元。其他实验 将致力于更详细地调查 激活和影响周围刺激和化学试剂 支配大脑的感觉神经传入的敏感性 脉管系统。后一类研究中的一些将在 大鼠除了来自SNC神经元的录音外，还有录音 将从V神经节神经元获得，以确定 神经感觉纤维的功能特点 脑内血管。这些不同实验的结果 有助于对潜在的过程提供更清晰的解释 对急性和慢性疼痛的感知，将有助于解释 血管头痛的病因学。此外，结果可能会导致 致力于开发改进的临床方法来控制 疼痛。

The overall aim of these studies is to increase our understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in mediating the perception of pain. The specific aim of the proposed studies over the next 3 years is to extend our successful studies initiated during the current granting period on (1) the function of the pathway ascending from subnucleus caudalis (SNC) of the brainstem trigeminal (V) nucleus to ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO) via a relay in nucleus submedius (Sm) in medial thalamus and (2) the characteristics of neurons in the V system activated by sensory stimulation of cerebral blood vessels. Recent anatomical studies have described a pathway originating in the marginal layer of SNC. relaying in Sm and terminating in VLO. Indirect evidence strongly suggests that this pathway is involved specifically in the processing and relay of pain signals. No physiological studies apart from our own have addressed this potentially very important pathway. In addition, virtually nothing is known concerning the sensory receptors associated with the cranial blood vessels. These V afferents are believed to mediate vascular head pains such as migraine and thus it is of scientific and clinical importance to determine their physiological properties. The studies will be carried out in anesthetized rats and cats and employ primarily single cell electrophysiological recording techniques. The studies will characterize the functional properties of neurons in SNC that project to Sm, as well as neurons in Sm and VLO. Other experiments will be devoted to investigating in greater detail the types of peripheral stimuli and chemical agents which activate and influence the sensitivity of the sensory afferents innervating the cerebral vasculature. Some of these latter studies will be conducted in the rat where in addition to recordings from SNC neurons, recordings will be obtained from V ganglion neurons in order to determine the functional characteristics of the sensory fibers innervating the intracerebral vessels. The findings of these various experiments will help provide a clearer explanation of the processes underlying the perception of acute and chronic pain and will help explain the etiology of vascular headaches. In addition, the results may lead to the development of improved clinical methods for the control of pain.