BB2 Revision7 Flashcards
How can neuropathic pain occur due to C-fibre nociceptor pathway malfunctioning? [1]
Interneurons (lamina II) can spontaneously become active & fire pain
Specifically, where do axons that transmit pain and form the spinothalamic tract decussate in the spinal cord? [1]
Anterior white commissure
Label A
White anterior commissure
Which of the folliwng numbers identify where the anterior and lateral spinothalamic tracts run in the spinal cord? [2]
5a: lateral spinothalamic tract
5b: anterior spinothalamic tract
Transmission (Anterior Spinothalamic Tract)
Which fibres project within the Anterior STT?
Where does the Anterior STTT project to after travelling up the spinal cord / wheres the third order neurone? [1]
Ab, Ad and C fibres
Projects to ventral posterior lateral (VPL) and ventral posterior inferior (VPI) nucleus of the thalamus. (VPL/VPI) on the contralateral anterior STT tract
Third order neurones from VPL/VPI project to the somatosensory cortex (S1 and S2) - Provide exact localisation and physical intensity of noxious stimulus.
Transmission (Lateral Spinothalamic Tract)
Which fibres project within the Lateral STT?
Describe its path
Ad and C fibres
Projects contralaterally via LSTT to mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MDvc) and posterior thalamus (VPI and VMpo).
From mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MDvc) innervates anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)
From posterior thalamus (VPI and VMpo) which innervates the rostral insula (unpleasant emotion of pain)
Anterior STT: innervates the [] cortex via []
Lateral STT: innervates the [] & [] via the [] and []
Anterior STT
* Innervate the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex via VPL/VPI
Posterior STT:
* Innervates the anterior cingulate cortex and rostral insula via the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MDvc) and posterior thalamus (VPI and VMpo)
Explain the mechansim of pain modulation at the dorsal horn via the Noradrenaline and serotonin neurons
Noradrenaline and serotonin neurons descend from locus coerulus and raphe nucleus respectively & exhibit excitatory repsonse on lamina II neurons
The lamina II neurons present here are inhibitory - so release GABA and ekephalins onto the INCOMING Aδ neurons, which reduces their activity
The unpleasantness (painfull) character of pain is mediated via pain to which are the brain? [1]
Limbic systems
Name three types of endogenous opoids and the receptors they can bind to [6]
Endogenous opoids:
* endorphins
* enkephalins
* dynorphins
Opoid receptors:
* Mu opioid receptor
* Delta opioid receptor
* Kappa opioid receptor
How does binding of endogenous opiod to opiod receptor inhibit pain? [2]
Causes a decrease in Ca2+ release at pre-synaptic terminal
This inhibits release of glutamate and stops pain modulation
How can you modulate pain via Abeta afferents? (e.g. if in pain - rubbing the area might help)
Ab afferent from skin also synapse excitably onto lamina II inhibitory cell body, that are used as interneurons from descending pain pathway (from noradrenaline and serotonin)
This causes more inhbitory GABA and enkephalins to be released on INCOMING Aδ neurons, which reduces their activity
Chronic pain
What is allodynia and hyperalgesia?
Allodynia: a condition where pain is caused by a non-noxious (non-painful) stimulus (e.g. tickle with a feather).
Hyperalgesia: a condition where an abnormal increased pain sensitivity is caused by a noxious (painful) stimulus (e.g. hot water on sunburn).
Chronic pain
Explain what causes peripheral sensitisation?
During injury (esp. inflammation), chemical mediators (i.e. cytokines, H+) can activate nociceptors and activate intracellular signalling mechanism, which can up regulate ion channels, thus increase membrane potential closer to depolarisation threshold.
This makes the sensory primary afferent fibres more sensitive to activation.
Explain what causes central sensitisation
Continuous activation of the projection neurones can activate intracellular signalling mechanism, which can up regulate ion channels, thus increase membrane potential closer to depolarisation threshold.
This makes the projection neurones more sensitive to activation.
Peripheral sensitisation
Explain what ectopic and ephatic activation of nocifibres are
In peripheral sensitisation:
Ectopic activation: spontaneous activation of fibres causing pain
Ephatic: lateral contact causes generation of AP on neighbouring fibre and cause pain