Spinal cord stimulation modulates intraspinal colorectal visceroreceptive transmission in rats

This study investigates how spinal cord stimulation (SCS) affects the transmission of signals from the colon to the spinal cord in rats. Researchers compared the effects of SCS applied to the upper cervical and lumbar regions of the spinal cord on neurons in the lower spinal cord that receive input from the colon. The study found that SCS applied to either the upper cervical or lumbar regions reduced the activity of spinal neurons that respond to painful stimulation of the colon. This suggests that SCS at these locations can modulate how the spinal cord processes pain signals from the colon. The results indicate that SCS could be a potential therapeutic approach for managing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other colonic disorders by reducing the perception of pain originating from the colon.

• 1
  SCS applied to L2-L3 spinal segments significantly reduced the excitatory responses of L6-S2 neurons to noxious colorectal distension.
• 2
  SCS applied to C1-C2 spinal segments also significantly reduced the excitatory responses of L6-S2 neurons to noxious colorectal distension.
• 3
  The effects of C1-C2 SCS were abolished by cutting the C7-C8 dorsal column, suggesting that the effects are transmitted via afferent fibers in the dorsal column.