TRIGEMINOVASCULAR STIMULATION IN CONSCIOUS RATS

INTRACISTERNAL infusion of capsaicin was used to induce intracranial t rigeminovascular stimulation in conscious rats. Both behaviour and tri geminal nucleus caudalis c-fos expression were examined. Exploratory b ehaviour was dose-dependently reduced and different types of behaviour s were induced with various doses of capsaicin. Head grooming and scra tching show that intracranial activation of trigeminal afferents can b e referred as extracranial trigeminal stimulation. Analysis of behavio ur exhibited during trigeminovascular stimulation may provide a powerf ul tool to study effects of central acting anti-migraine drugs.