Journal of neurophysiology
-
1. The activity of primary afferent axons was recorded in rats that had received a chronic constriction injury (CCI) to the common sciatic nerve. The CCI gives rise to a painful peripheral neuropathy that is characterized by allodynia, hyperalgesia, and, probably, spontaneous pain (or dysesthesia). ⋯ Both of the two spontaneously discharging C-fibers conducted through the injury. The frequency of the spontaneous discharge of the myelinated fibers ranged from 10 to 50 Hz and was usually regular or bursting. 5. Intravenous administration of gallamine triethiodide (Flaxedil), a K+ channel blocker, either induced activity in previously silent fibers or increased the frequency of spontaneous activity in 50% (21/42) of A beta fibers and 19% (3/16) of A delta fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)