Cutaneous afferent activity in median and radial nerve fascicles: a microelectrode study

Cutaneous afferent activity was recorded in fascicles of the median and radial nerves of normal subjects using percutaneous microelectrodes. Multi-unit fascicular responses were dominated by activity in large myelinated fibres. Easily tolerated electrical stimuli evoked the full spectrum of fast and...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry neurosurgery and psychiatry, 1975-09, Vol.38 (9), p.855-864
Main Authors: Burke, D, Mackenzie, R A, Skuse, N F, Lethlean, A K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Electric Stimulation
Evoked Potentials
Humans
Median Nerve - physiology
Middle Aged
Nerve Fibers, Myelinated - physiology
Neurons, Afferent - physiology
Pain
Radial Nerve - physiology
Skin - innervation
Touch - physiology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Cutaneous afferent activity was recorded in fascicles of the median and radial nerves of normal subjects using percutaneous microelectrodes. Multi-unit fascicular responses were dominated by activity in large myelinated fibres. Easily tolerated electrical stimuli evoked the full spectrum of fast and slow myelinated fibre activity but more intense levels were required to activate unmyelinated fibres. Correlation of the evoked potentials and the sensations reported by the subject suggested that fast myelinated fibres mediate tactile sensations. Pricking pain appeared with the activation of slow myelinated fibres. The only sensations induced by electrical stimuli were tactile or painful.
ISSN:0022-3050
1468-330X
DOI:10.1136/jnnp.38.9.855