PAIN
Volume 33, Issue 1 , Pages 81-85, April 1988

Effect of the forebrain on flexion reflexes in rats with ankle joint urate arthritis

  • Terence J. Coderre
    • ,
  • Patrick D. Wall

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Prof. P.D. Wall, Cerebral Functions Research Group, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Neurobiology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K..

Cerebral Functions Research Group, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Neurobiology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT U.K.

Received 20 August 1987; received in revised form 15 October 1987; accepted 25 October 1987.

Abstract 

Ankle joint urate arthritis in rats is associated with increased responses to ankle stimulation and decreased responses to stimulation of the distal foot. To determine the influence of the forebrain on flexion reflexes in this model, responses to ankle and foot stimulation were examined in chronic decerebrate rats, decerebrated either before or after the induction of the arthritis.

The increased responsiveness to stimulation of the arthritic ankle which had been observed after 24 h of urate arthritis was equally apparent in animals decerebrated 24 h before the induction of the arthritis and in those decerebrated 24 h after the urate injection.

However, the decreased responsiveness of the distal foot to pressure or temperature stimuli, which had been observed in arthritic animals with an intact forebrain, was still apparent in animals decerebrated 24 h after the induction of the arthritis but did not appear in animals who had been decerebrated before the arthritis induction. It is concluded that the forebrain is required for the production of the reduced responsiveness of the distal foot but is not required for its maintenance once the insensitive state has been acquired.

Keywords:  Arthritis, Reflex, Forebrain, (Rat)

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PII: 0304-3959(88)90208-4

PAIN
Volume 33, Issue 1 , Pages 81-85, April 1988

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