Functional properties of tooth pulp neurons responding to thermal stimulation

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Publication Type Manuscript
School or College School of Medicine
Department Anesthesiology
Creator Light, Alan R.
Other Author Ahn, Dong K.; Doutova, Elena A.; McNaughton, Kirk; Närhi, Matti; Maixner, William
Title Functional properties of tooth pulp neurons responding to thermal stimulation
Date 2012-01-01
Description The response properties of tooth pulp neurons that respond to noxious thermal stimulation of the dental pulp have been not well studied. The present study was designed to characterize the response properties of tooth pulp neurons to noxious thermal stimulation of the dental pulp. Experiments were conducted on 25 male ferrets and heat stimulation was applied by a computer-controlled thermode. Only 15% of tooth pulp neurons (n=39) responded to noxious thermal stimulation of tooth. Tooth pulp neurons were found in both the superficial and deep nuclear regions of the subnucleus caudalis (Vc) and in the interface between nucleus caudalis and interpolaris (Vc/Vi). Thirty-seven neurons had cutaneous receptive fields and were classified as either NS (16) or WDR (21) neurons. Repeated heat stimulation of the dental pulp sensitized and increased the number of electrically evoked potentials of tooth pulp neurons. These results provide evidence that both the Vc and Vc/Vi region contain neurons that respond to noxious thermal stimulation of the dental pulp and that these cells may contribute to the sensitization process associated with symptomatic pulpitis.
Type Text
Publisher Sage Publications
First Page 1
Last Page 19
DOI DOI: 10.1177/0022034511435703.
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Language eng
Bibliographic Citation Ahn, D. K., Doutova, E. A., McNaughton, K., Light, A. R., Närhi, M., & Maixner, W. (2012). Functional properties of tooth pulp neurons responding to thermal stimulation. Journal of Dental Research. 1-19 (20-4).
Rights Management (c) Sage Publications ; Reprinted from Ahn, D. K., Doutova, E. A., McNaughton, K., Light, A. R., Närhi, M., & Maixner, W. (2012). Functional properties of tooth pulp neurons responding to thermal stimulation. Journal of Dental Research, 91(4), 401-6.
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 2,582,685 bytes
Identifier uspace,17402
ARK ark:/87278/s6xp7ppp
Setname ir_uspace
ID 708051
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6xp7ppp
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