Establishing an Electrophysiological Recording Platform for Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation in Neuropathic Pain Rats

This study introduces a new method for testing spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in rats with nerve pain. The method involves implanting a device that delivers pulsed ultrahigh-frequency (pUHF) stimulation to the spinal cord and recording brain activity in response to this stimulation. The researchers carefully detail the steps for implanting the SCS device and brain recording electrodes, as well as how to stimulate the hind paw to elicit brain responses. They also describe how to identify and exclude rats with poorly functioning SCS electrodes. The study found that pUHF-SCS reduced pain sensitivity in rats with nerve injury and altered brain activity patterns. The researchers believe this new method will be a valuable tool for understanding how SCS works and for developing new SCS devices.

• 1
  SNI enhanced the C component of eLFPs in bilateral cortexes elicited by stimulating the contralateral but not the ipsilateral lateral aspect of the hind paw.
• 2
  Repeated pUHF-SCS significantly reversed SNI-induced paw hypersensitivity and reduced C-component enhancement.
• 3
  Impedance increased due to growth of fibrotic tissue but stabilized after post-implantation day 12.