Data for research paper: Neuritis and vinblastine-induced axonal transport disruption lead to signs of altered dorsal horn excitability

Data for paper appearing in ‘Molecular Pain’

Dorsal horn electrophysiological, behavioural and
immunohistochemical data following neuritis and vinblastine-induced axonal
transport disruption. Data set includes ongoing activity rates, wind-up and mechanical
responses from wide dynamic range neurons, numbers of c-Fos positive cells and
area of substance p labelling in the dorsal horn.

Abstract
from research paper:

Background

Many patients
with neuropathic pain present without signs of nerve injury on routine clinical
examination. Some of these patients may have inflamed peripheral nerves
(neuritis). In this study, we have examined whether neuritis causes changes
within the dorsal horn that may contribute to a central pain mechanism.
Comparisons have been made to a model of axonal transport disruption induced
using vinblastine, since neuritis disrupts such processes.

Results

At the peak of
cutaneous hypersensitivities, recordings from wide dynamic range neurons
revealed increases in wind-up following neuritis but not vinblastine treatment.
Ongoing activity from these neurons was unchanged. Vinblastine treatment caused
a reduction in the responses of wide dynamic range neurons to noxious
mechanical stimulation of the receptive field. The response of neurons to
innocuous mechanical stimulation was also reduced in wide dynamic range neurons
that were at a depth ≥550 µm following vinblastine treatment. An examination of
the superficial dorsal horn revealed an increase in c-Fos–positive neurons in
both groups following electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve. The area of
dorsal horn expressing substance P was also decreased following vinblastine
treatment.

Conclusion

These findings
indicate that a minor nerve insult, such as neuritis, can lead to changes
within the dorsal horn that are consistent with a central neuropathic pain
mechanism.