Habenular neuron responses to noxious input are modified by dorsal raphe stimulation.

Full Abstract

Single-cell experiments were undertaken to characterize the neurons of the rat habenular complex (Hab) which respond to noxious input and the extent to which the noxious responses can be modulated by dorsal raphe stimulation. The reported observations demonstrate that habenular neurons exhibit two response patterns to noxious stimulation termed 'nociceptive-on' and 'nociceptive-off'. In addition, it was demonstrated that dorsal raphe stimulation modulates the noxious input to the 'nociceptive-on' and to the 'nociceptive-off' cells. These findings demonstrated that the habenular complex responds to noxious input and, together with other findings reporting that both direct morphine application into the Hab and electrical stimulation of the Hab produced analgesia, suggest that the habenular complex is integrated into the pain regulatory circuitry.

Author information

Author/s: Dafny, N (N); Qiao, J T (JT);

Affiliation: University of Texas Medical School, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Houston 77225.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neurological research (Neurol Res), published in ENGLAND. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1990-Jun; vol 12 (issue 2) : pp 117-21

Dates: Created 1990/09/17; Completed 1990/09/17; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 1974700, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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