전측 시개전핵의 하행성 통각 조절계에 대한 중뇌수도주변회백질의 관여

초록

This study was conducted to determine whether the periaqueductal gray (PAG) is involved in descending pain inhibition system mediated by the anterior pretectal nucleus (APTN). Pain sensitivity was assessed using tail-flick test to radiant heat in the rat anaesthetized with pentobarbital. Microinjections of lidocaine into the PAG inhibited the analgesic effects of stimulating the APTN. After WGA-HRP was injected into the ventral medulla at the level of the inferior olivary nuclei, the labeled neurons were detected in the ventrolateral PAG and in the APTN. The results suggest that the PAG is at least partially involved in a descending antinociceptive pathway originating in the APTN.