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Effect of stimulation of basolateral amygdaloid nucleus on unit discharges of neurons of habenular nucleus

Liu Weimin, Wang Shao

Department of Physiology, Norman Bethune University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

In 46 albino rats under chloral hydrate anesthesia, 110 neurons of lateral
habenular nucleus (LHN) were extracellularly recorded. Spontaneous discharge
frequencies were increased in 75 neurons (LHPE), decreased in 11 (LHPI), unchanged in 17 (pain-nonsensitive neurons) by both somatic and visceral noxious stimulation; 2 neurons (wide-dynamic neurons) were activated by either
noxious stimulation or non-noxious stimulation; 5 neurons had different esponses
to somatic and visceral noxious stimulation. Spontaneous discharge frequencies of LHPE and LHPI neurons were decreased and the nociceptive responses of them were inhibited by stimulation of basolateral amygdoloid nucleus (AMG). There was no effect of stimulation of AMG on pain-nonsensitive neurons and wide-dynamic neurons of LHN. Microinjection of morphine into AMG could inhibit the nociceptive responses of LHPE. Intra-amygdaloid naloxone injection could increase the frequency of spontaneous discharges of LHPE and intensify its nociceptive responses. Microinjection of naloxone could also relieve the inhibitory effect of electroacupuncture on nociceptive responses of LHPE.

Key words: Basolateral amygdoloid nucleus;Iateral habenular nucleus;Nociceptive response;Morphine;Naloxone

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Citing This Article：

Liu Weimin, Wang Shao. Effect of stimulation of basolateral amygdaloid nucleus on unit discharges of neurons of habenular nucleus. Acta Physiol Sin 1987; 39 (4): (in Chinese with English abstract).