CLASSIFICATION OF DORSAL HORN NEURONS BASED ON SOMATIC RECEPTIVE-FIELDS IN CATS WITH INTACT AND TRANSECTED SPINAL-CORDS - NEURAL PLASTICITY

Classification of dorsal horn neurons based on cell activity responses to somatic receptive fields stimulation, was compared between anesthe tized cats with transected or intact cords. Results showed a significa nt (P less than or equal to 0.001) difference. In animals with transec ted cords, dorsal horn neurons responded with less specificity to noxi ous and innocuous stimulation. The results are consistent with the pro position that loss of supraspinal influences plays a significant role in determining response characteristics of dorsal horn neurons. (C) 19 97 Elsevier Science B.V.