THE GABA(A) RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST PICROTOXIN INDUCES A PAIN-LIKE BEHAVIOR WHEN ADMINISTERED INTO THE THALAMIC RETICULAR NUCLEUS OF THE BEHAVING RAT - A POSSIBLE MODEL FOR CENTRAL PAIN

In this study, we reported that the microinjection of the GABA(A) anta gonist picrotoxin into the rat thalamic reticular nucleus produced a ' pain-like' behavior. This behavior was primarily characterized by repe titive lifting off the hindpaw from the Boor contralateral to the inje ction site, sometimes accompanied by extension of the leg and maximal fingers separation. Surprisingly, these manifestations were not occurr ing when picrotoxin was applied to the ventrobasal complex itself. alt ernatively producing 'wet-dog' shakes. These data show that the local administration of picrotoxin is a relevant approach for studying pain of 'central' origin and complex GABAergic modulatory mechanisms within the thalamic sensory complex.