Potentiation of sensory responses in the anterior cingulate cortex following digit amputation in the anaesthetised rat

1. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is important for processing differen t types of information, including sensory inputs. In the present study on a naesthetised rats, we recorded in vivo sensory responses of the ACC to peri pheral electrical shocks. Peripheral electrical stimulation at high intensi ties sufficient to activate nociceptive sensory fibres elicited EPSPs withi n the ACC. 2. Digit amputation caused long-lasting potentiation of ACC responses to pe ripheral electrical stimulation. Evoked field EPSPs remained enhanced for a t least 120 min after the amputation. Because electrical shocks were delive red to the normal hindpaw, it is likely that plastic changes occur centrall y in the spinal cord or the supraspinal structures following amputation. 3. We also recorded field EPSPs of the ACC in response to focal cortical st imulation within the ACC. Like the sensory responses, field EPSPs produced by focal cortical stimulation within the ACC were potentiated after digit a mputation, suggesting that long-lasting changes occurred locally within the ACC. 4. Local blockade of peripheral activity by QX-314 at the amputated hindpaw 120 min after amputation did not significantly affect; sensory responses i nduced within the ACC. Thus, peripheral ongoing inputs do not play an impor tant role in maintaining potentiation within the ACC. 5. Two pulses of hindpaw stimulation caused paired-pulse depression in the ACC. Local stimulation within the ACC also caused depression of sensory res ponses to hindpaw stimulation, suggesting that the population of synapses a ctivated by local stimulation may overlap with that activated by peripheral hindpaw stimulation. 6. Our results suggest that rapid enhancement of sensory responses can be o bserved in the ACC after amputation and that enhanced neuronal responses to subsequent somatosensory stimuli may contribute to phantom-limb pain.