Functional characteristics of foot skin mechanoreceptors and afferent nerve fibers of the sciatic nerve after central axotomy of sensory neurons
Kolosova, L.I.; Akoev, G.N.; Moiseeva, A.B.; Riabchikova, O.V.
Rossiiskii Fiziologicheskii Zhurnal Imeni I.M. Sechenova 84(8): 755-760
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0869-8139 PMID: 9845893 Document Number: 487046
The activity of mechanoreceptors was studied in normal rats' hindfoot and compared with that of rhizotomised animals. Evoked nerve impulses were recorded from afferent fibres of the n.tibialis. A possible autonomous functioning of decentralised mechanoreceptors, even though in an altered fashion, was shown. The registered shifts comprised a decrease in sensitivity to mechanical stimulation and lower adaptive properties. The findings suggest that the underlying mechanism involves a probable lack of trophic interaction leading to interruption of a link between the CNS and the peripheral nervous system.