Experimental brain research. Experimentelle Hirnforschung. Expérimentation cérébrale
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Heterotopic low-frequency stimulation induces nociceptive LTD within the same central receptive field in man.
Electrical low-frequency stimulation (LFS) evokes long-term depression (LTD) of nociception. Human studies suggested a strictly homotopic organization. This study hypothesizes that even heterotopic LFS evokes LTD within the same receptive field (RF). ⋯ In ExpArm (n = 20), LFS to the center of the RF induced a stronger pain reduction than LFS applied outside the RF (P < 0.001). This study demonstrates a heterosynaptic organization of LTD within the same RF. Profound knowledge about RF involvement on LTD seems crucial in order to judge the quality of LFS as a possible neuromodulatory treatment of pain.