Thermal inhibition of nociceptor-driven spinal cord neurones in the rat

Abstract

The inhibitory effects of cutaneous thermal stimulation have been tested on background and noxious-evoked discharge of neurones in the lumbar spinal cord of anaesthetized rats. Inhibition of background discharges by warming and of noxiousevoked discharges by warming and/or cooling have been demonstrated. Thermal inhibition may be a neural basis for thermal analgesia.