Background and aims: A systematic study of the spatial resolution of the nociceptive system across different body districts is surprisingly lacking, especially considering the recent description of a fovea for pain at the fingertips (Mancini et al Curr Biol 2013). In this psychophysical study we assessed the spatial acuity of ten body regions, using the two-point discrimination (2PD) of Nd:YAP laser pulses that selectively activate Aδ cutaneous afferents. Methods: Using two Nd:YAP lasers we delivered either one or two simultaneous pulses (diameter: 1.3 mm) of identical energy on each of the following body sites: forehead, volar forearm, hand dorsum, hand palm, fingertip, shoulder, lower back, upper thigh, calf, and foot dorsum. The 2PD task consisted in judging whether one or two stimuli were delivered, using ascending and descending staircases of varying spatial distance between the two pulses. Single stimuli were included as catch trials. All stimuli elicited a clear pinprick sensation related to the activation of Aδ afferents. Results: We found a proximal-distal gradient of spatial acuity for nociceptive stimuli, with higher acuity for proximal stimuli, an observation in agreement with innervation density of skin nociceptors and perceptual threshold of Aδ stimuli. Two distal regions (fingertips and palm) represented an exception, and showed maximal spatial acuity (see also Mancini et al., 2013). Conclusions: This study provides the first systematic description of spatial acuity of the nociceptive system across the entire body in healthy participants.

The spatial resolution of the nociceptive system / Bauleo, Armando; Mancini, F.; Lui, Fausta; Porro, Carlo Adolfo; Haggard, P.. - (2013), pp. 27-27.

The spatial resolution of the nociceptive system.

BAULEO, ARMANDO;LUI, Fausta;PORRO, Carlo Adolfo;
2013

Abstract

Background and aims: A systematic study of the spatial resolution of the nociceptive system across different body districts is surprisingly lacking, especially considering the recent description of a fovea for pain at the fingertips (Mancini et al Curr Biol 2013). In this psychophysical study we assessed the spatial acuity of ten body regions, using the two-point discrimination (2PD) of Nd:YAP laser pulses that selectively activate Aδ cutaneous afferents. Methods: Using two Nd:YAP lasers we delivered either one or two simultaneous pulses (diameter: 1.3 mm) of identical energy on each of the following body sites: forehead, volar forearm, hand dorsum, hand palm, fingertip, shoulder, lower back, upper thigh, calf, and foot dorsum. The 2PD task consisted in judging whether one or two stimuli were delivered, using ascending and descending staircases of varying spatial distance between the two pulses. Single stimuli were included as catch trials. All stimuli elicited a clear pinprick sensation related to the activation of Aδ afferents. Results: We found a proximal-distal gradient of spatial acuity for nociceptive stimuli, with higher acuity for proximal stimuli, an observation in agreement with innervation density of skin nociceptors and perceptual threshold of Aδ stimuli. Two distal regions (fingertips and palm) represented an exception, and showed maximal spatial acuity (see also Mancini et al., 2013). Conclusions: This study provides the first systematic description of spatial acuity of the nociceptive system across the entire body in healthy participants.
2013
Bauleo, Armando; Mancini, F.; Lui, Fausta; Porro, Carlo Adolfo; Haggard, P.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.
Pubblicazioni consigliate

Licenza Creative Commons
I metadati presenti in IRIS UNIMORE sono rilasciati con licenza Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal, mentre i file delle pubblicazioni sono rilasciati con licenza Attribuzione 4.0 Internazionale (CC BY 4.0), salvo diversa indicazione.
In caso di violazione di copyright, contattare Supporto Iris

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1062518
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact