Mesocortical dopamine system modulates mechanical nociceptive responses recorded in the rat prefrontal cortex.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Psychological conditions affect pain responses in the human anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) according to brain imaging analysis. The rodent prefrontal cortex (PFC) including cingulate areas is also related to the affective dimension of pain. We previously reported PFC nociceptive responses inhibited by inputs from the amygdala, such as with dopamine (DA) D2 receptor (D2R) blockers, to show decreased effect on amygdala projections. In this study, we examined whether direct projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the PFC affect nociceptive responses in the PFC.

Results

High frequency stimulation (HFS, 50 Hz, 30 s) delivered to the VTA produced long-lasting suppression (LLS) of nociceptive responses in the rat PFC including cingulate and prelimbic areas.

SUBMITTER: Sogabe S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3710228 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature