[Neurophysiological basis of pain and pain therapy (author's transl)].

Painful stimuli are encoded by specialized nociceptors. In the spinal cord the afferent nerves transmit them at the synapse to dorsal horn neurons, which are considered here as models for neuronal mechanisms in nociception. In particular, inhibitory effects of spinal and of supraspinal origin are shown to modulate the nociceptive messages ascending to the brain. These inhibitions are activated by various methods of electrostimulation (of the peripheral nerves, dorsal columns, electroacupuncture) that are used clinically for the management of pain.