Objective: Tactile spatial acuity is routinely tested in neurology to assess the state of the dorsal column system. In contrast, spatial acuity for pain is not assessed, having never been systematically characterized. More than a century after the initial description of tactile acuity across the body, we provide the first systematic whole-body mapping of spatial acuity for pain. Methods: We evaluated the 2-point discrimination thresholds for both nociceptive-selective and tactile stimuli across several skin regions. Thresholds were estimated using pairs of simultaneous stimuli, and also using successive stimuli. Results and interpretation: These two approaches produced convergent results. The fingertip was the area of highest spatial acuity, for both pain and touch. On the glabrous skin of the hand, the gradient of spatial acuity for pain followed that observed for touch. On the hairy skin of the upper limb, spatial acuity for pain and touch followed opposite proximal–distal gradients, consistent with the known innervation density of this body territory. Finally, by testing spatial acuity for pain in a rare participant completely lacking Ab fibers, we demonstrate that spatial acuity for pain does not rely on a functioning system of tactile primary afferents. This study represents the first systematic characterization of spatial acuity for pain across multiple regions of the body surface.

Whole-Body Mapping of Spatial Acuity for Pain and Touch / Flavia, Mancini; Bauleo, Armando; Jonathan, Cole; Lui, Fausta; Porro, Carlo Adolfo; Patrick, Haggard; Gian Domenico, Iannetti. - In: ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY. - ISSN 0364-5134. - STAMPA. - 75:6(2014), pp. 917-924. [10.1002/ana.24179]

Whole-Body Mapping of Spatial Acuity for Pain and Touch

BAULEO, ARMANDO;LUI, Fausta;PORRO, Carlo Adolfo;
2014

Abstract

Objective: Tactile spatial acuity is routinely tested in neurology to assess the state of the dorsal column system. In contrast, spatial acuity for pain is not assessed, having never been systematically characterized. More than a century after the initial description of tactile acuity across the body, we provide the first systematic whole-body mapping of spatial acuity for pain. Methods: We evaluated the 2-point discrimination thresholds for both nociceptive-selective and tactile stimuli across several skin regions. Thresholds were estimated using pairs of simultaneous stimuli, and also using successive stimuli. Results and interpretation: These two approaches produced convergent results. The fingertip was the area of highest spatial acuity, for both pain and touch. On the glabrous skin of the hand, the gradient of spatial acuity for pain followed that observed for touch. On the hairy skin of the upper limb, spatial acuity for pain and touch followed opposite proximal–distal gradients, consistent with the known innervation density of this body territory. Finally, by testing spatial acuity for pain in a rare participant completely lacking Ab fibers, we demonstrate that spatial acuity for pain does not rely on a functioning system of tactile primary afferents. This study represents the first systematic characterization of spatial acuity for pain across multiple regions of the body surface.
2014
75
6
917
924
Whole-Body Mapping of Spatial Acuity for Pain and Touch / Flavia, Mancini; Bauleo, Armando; Jonathan, Cole; Lui, Fausta; Porro, Carlo Adolfo; Patrick, Haggard; Gian Domenico, Iannetti. - In: ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY. - ISSN 0364-5134. - STAMPA. - 75:6(2014), pp. 917-924. [10.1002/ana.24179]
Flavia, Mancini; Bauleo, Armando; Jonathan, Cole; Lui, Fausta; Porro, Carlo Adolfo; Patrick, Haggard; Gian Domenico, Iannetti
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Mancini_Annals Neurology_2014.pdf

Open access

Descrizione: Articolo principale
Tipologia: Versione pubblicata dall'editore
Dimensione 582.94 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
582.94 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
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/11380/1062533
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 57
  • Scopus 219
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 203
social impact