Neuroreport
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Afferent fibers innervating the gastrointestinal tract have major roles in consciously evoked sensations including pain. We reported previously that the activation of ERK1/2, a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, in primary sensory neurons was involved in acute visceral pain. Moreover, we also revealed that this activation of ERK1/2 occurred through transient receptor potential (TRP) A1, a member of the TRP family of ion channels. ⋯ Intrathecal administration of the p38 inhibitor, SB203580, attenuated the electromyographic response to noxious GD. Furthermore, intrathecal administration of TRPA1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide decreased the p38 activation in DRG neurons. The activation of p38 pathways in DRG neurons by noxious GD may be correlated with the activation state of the primary afferent neurons through TRPA1, and further, involved in the development of visceral pain.
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It is known that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can induce polarity-specific shifts in brain excitability of the primary motor cortex (M1) with anodal tDCS enhancing and cathodal tDCS reducing cortical excitability. However, less is known about its impact on specific intracortical inhibitory mechanisms, such as γ-aminobutyric acid B (GABAB)-mediated inhibition. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to assess the impact of anodal and cathodal tDCS on M1 intracortical inhibition in healthy individuals. ⋯ This study provides evidence that anodal tDCS, presumably by synaptic plasticity mechanisms, has a direct effect on GABAB-meditated inhibition assessed by the CSP, but not by LICI. Our results further suggest that CSP and LICI probe distinct intracortical inhibitory mechanisms as they are differentially modulated by anodal tDCS. Finally, these data may have clinical value in patients in whom a pathological increase in CSP duration is present, such as schizophrenia.