Cortical activation during oesophageal stimulation: a neuromagnetic study

Citation
R. Loose et al., Cortical activation during oesophageal stimulation: a neuromagnetic study, NEUROG MOT, 11(3), 1999, pp. 163-171
Citations number
46
Categorie Soggetti
Gastroenerology and Hepatology
Journal title
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
ISSN journal
13501925 → ACNP
Volume
11
Issue
3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
163 - 171
Database
ISI
SICI code
1350-1925(199906)11:3<163:CADOSA>2.0.ZU;2-R
Abstract
We investigated the neuromagnetic responses to mechanical stimulation of th e oesophagus. In six healthy right-handed volunteers (mean age 31.6 years) the proximal and distal oesophagus were stimulated by electronically contro lled pump-inflation of a silicone balloon once every 4.5-5.5 sec (dwell tim e 145 msec). The balloon volume was adjusted to induce different sensation levels (i) just above threshold of perception, (ii) strong sensation and (i ii) painful sensation. Evoked magnetic brain responses were recorded time-l ocked to stimulus onset with a Neuromag-122TM whole-head neuromagnetometer and modelled as equivalent current diploe (ECD) sources. ECDs were superimp osed on individual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Magnetic brain r esponses following distal oesophageal stimulation were adequately explained by a time-varying 2-4 dipole model with unilateral or bilateral sources in second somatosensory cortex and later sources in the frontal cortex. With increasing stimulus intensities, latencies of the sources decreased and amp litudes increased. Proximal oesophageal stimulation led to activation of so urce areas spatially similar to those of distal oesophageal stimulation but with shorter response latencies. Both painful and nonpainful mechanical st imulation of the oesophagus activate the second somatosensory cortex (SII). Evidence for topographic organization of oesophageal afferents in SII is p oor.