Human Cutaneous Nociceptive Afferents with Unmyelinated (C), and myelinated (Aδ) fibers

VernacularTitle:ヒト皮膚C線維およびAδ線維求心性神経活動の研究
Author: Kazuhiro GOTO ; Yutaka KAGOSHIMA ; Ryuhei TAKEUCHI ; Kazumasa HIRAOKA ; Hiromitsu IWAKURA
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: nociceptor; microneurography; c-fibers; Aδ-fibers
From:Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion 1983;32(3):195-203
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: Inserting a tangusten microelectrode into the peroneous nerve of the conscious human subject, the authors recorded the discharge of primary afferent C and A δ fibers. Most of the C fibers belonged to the polymodal group, as these were excited by both mechanical and thermal stimulations. These units responded to painful mechanical or thermal stimuli, as well as to non-painful stimuli of these modalities. These polymodal receptors were capable of responding to a wide range of stimulation intensity.
Only some of the Aδ fibers responded to mechanical stimulation of a high intensity and painful thermal stimulation. These units increased their discharge to repeated heat administration showing a marked sensitization. This sensitization corresponded to the sense of increased heat experience by the human subjects who had hyperalgesia from the increasing heat. These findings indicate that these Aδ afferent fibers transmit sensation of hyperalgesia from the hairy skin to the higher centers.