[Effects of stimulation of SmI and electroacupuncture on nociceptive responses of the ventrobasal complex].

In order to confirm the idea that the cerebral cortex is involved in acupuncture analgesia through descending modulation, the effects of stimulation of SmI and electroacupuncture on nociceptive responses of VB neurons were investigated. The experiments were carried out on lightly anesthetized rats. Single unit activities of VB neurons were extracellularly recorded with glass microelectrodes. The results showed that both electrical stimulation of SmI (n = 11) and electroacupuncture at left. "Huantiao" (G30) point (n = 11) could inhibit the nociceptive responses of VB neurons and their effects were similar. These results suggested that SmI may play a role in acupuncture analgesia through corticofugal modulation on VB.