Chemo-somatosensory Event-related Potentials in Response to Repetitive Painful Chemical-stimulation of the Nasal-mucosa

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate how chemo-somatosensory event-related potentials (CSSERPs) and pain ratings are modified by repetitive painful stimulation of the nasal mucosa (58% v/v CO2, 200 msec duration). Twenty-two subjects performed 3 experiments during which trains of stimuli were applied. The interstimulus interval (ISI) between stimuli was constant far each experiment, but varied between experiments (8, 4, and 2 sec). CSSERPs were obtained from 5 positions (Fz, C3, Ct, C4, and Pz). The subjects not only rated the overall perceived intensities but also reported the quality of the stimuli. At an ISI of 8 sec estimates decreased and only stinging sensations were reported. In contrast, at an interval of 2 sec estimates increased being accompanied by the buildup of burning pain. This phenomenon was interpreted in terms of the superposition of first (sharp and stinging pain: A delta fibers) and second pain (dull and burning pain: C fibers), respectively. However, given the special circumstances of short ISIs CSSERP amplitudes decreased the more the shorter the ISI was. In line with previous investigations it is hypothesised that CSSERPs predominantly reflect nociceptive information transmitted via A delta fibers.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)426-432
Number of pages7
JournalElectroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology
Volume92
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - Sept 1994
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 7523087
Scopus 0028060638
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/146645487

Keywords

Keywords

  • Carbon dioxide, Event-related potential, Habituation, Irritation, Pain, Repetitive stimulation