Wide-dynamic-range dorsal horn neurons participate in the encoding process by which monkeys perceive the intensity of noxious heat stimuli.

The role of dorsal horn wide-dynamic-range (WDR) and nociceptive-specific (NS) neurons in the encoding of the perceived intensity of noxious stimuli was determined while monkeys detected near-threshold changes in the intensity of noxious heat stimuli. Behavioral detection latencies were a reliable measure of the perceived intensity of these stimuli. There was a significant correlation between behavioral detection latency and neuronal discharge of WDR, but not NS neurons. In addition, WDR neurons exhibited greater activity on correctly detected vs non-detected trials, whereas NS neurons did not. We conclude that WDR neurons are involved in the encoding process by which monkeys perceive the intensity of noxious heat stimuli near detection threshold.