Scientific Reports (May 2017)
Thalamic Bursts Down-regulate Cortical Theta and Nociceptive Behavior
Abstract
Abstract We tested the relation between pain behavior, theta (4–8 Hz) oscillations in somatosensory cortex and burst firing in thalamic neurons in vivo. Optically-induced thalamic bursts attenuated cortical theta and mechanical allodynia. It is proposed that thalamic bursts are an adaptive response to pain that de-synchronizes cortical theta and decreases sensory salience.