Spinal cord stimulation induces c-Fos expression in the dorsal horn in rats with neuropathic pain after partial sciatic nerve injury

Neurosci Lett. 2009 Jan 23;450(1):70-3. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.11.013. Epub 2008 Nov 11.

Abstract

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established treatment for intractable neuropathic pain, especially CRPS-1. The mechanisms of action of SCS have only been partly elucidated and include suppression of the hyper-excitability of the Wide Dynamic Range neurons and a GABA increase in the dorsal horn. In the present study we demonstrate an increase of c-Fos immunoreactive cells in the dorsal horn after SCS, suggesting early cellular activation that may preclude earlier described electrophysiological and biochemical changes in the dorsal horn after SCS. In a rat model of neuropathic pain, allodynia was induced and quantified using the von Frey test. In 11 rats a SCS device was implanted and spinal cord stimulation performed. Withdrawal threshold were measured every 15 min up to 90 min. A sham group (n=6) also had a SCS device implanted, but did not receive SCS. After SCS the animals were perfused and histology was performed for quantification of c-Fos immunoreactivity in the dorsal horns. We found a significant increase in c-Fos in the SCS group compared to our sham group and control tissue, indicating late cellular activity in the dorsal horn after SCS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Gene Expression
  • Male
  • Neuralgia / physiopathology
  • Neuralgia / therapy*
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Posterior Horn Cells / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sciatic Nerve / injuries*

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos