SpringerProtocols: Abstract: Trigeminal Neuronal Recording in Animal Models of Orofacial Pain

Trigeminal Neuronal Recording in Animal Models of Orofacial Pain

By: Koichi Iwata², Yuji Masuda³, Ke Ren⁴

Abstract

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The electrical signal associated with nerve cells, mainly as a result of changes in the membrane potential during functional activity, can be recorded extracellularly to study central mechanisms underlying sensory processing. The secondary neurons in the spinal trigeminal complex receive inputs from peripheral neurons that innervate the orofacial region and forward information to the higher levels of the nervous system. Analyzing activity patterns of trigeminal neurons related to pain perception has proven to be an efficient method in studying orofacial pain mechanisms. Here we describe some basic techniques and tips for extracellular single neuron recording from the subnucleus caudalis of the trigeminal spinal nucleus in rats with orofacial injury. Two different rat models with temporomandibular joint inflammation and inferior alveolar nerve transection are described.

Affiliation(s): (2) Department of Physiology, Nihon University, School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan
(3) Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Biology, Institute of Oral Science, Matsumoto Dental University, Nagano, Japan
(4) Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, Maryland

Book Title: Pain Research: Methods and Protocols

Series: Methods in Molecular Medicine | Volume: 99 | Pub. Date: May-15-2004 | Page Range: 123-137 | DOI: 10.1385/1-59259-770-X:025

Subject: Molecular Medicine

Key Words: Electrophysiology - extracellular recording - single-unit - rat - orofacial pain - subnucleus caudalis - medullary dorsal horn - nociceptive neurons - temporomandibular joint (TMJ) - inferior alveolar nerve - inflammation - complete Freund’s adjuvant - nerve injury - tungsten microelectrodes - receptive field - action potential

References

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