Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Does Intra-Epidermal Electrical Stimulation Activate All Types of Nociceptors?
The main tract for transmitting noxious stimuli is the spinothalamic tract, receiving its input from different types of small fibers in the skin i.e., mechanical or heat sensitive fibers. In spinal cord injury as in other pathologies involving neuropathic pain and sensation deficits it is crucial to assess spinothalamic tract integrity with objective methods. This depends on a well characterized stimulation modality, activating small fibers, and implies the recording of brain activity in response to this stimulation (electroencephalography; EEG). Intra-epidermal electrical stimulation (IES) using a concentric triple electrode is known for its clinical potential due to small fiber activation is a good candidate for the activation of the spinothalamic tract. However, it is still debated if IES activates all types of small fibers i.e., mechanical and heat sensitive small fibers, specific for nociception. We address this question by comparing mechanical, heat, and electrical noxious stimulation in terms of evoked potentials, quality of sensation, pain perception, and pain thresholds.
The study involves the recruitment and measurement of young healthy control subjects. You will acquire knowledge about neurophysiological techniques such as evoked potentials (EP) and electroencephalography (EEG). You will take part in data acquisition, analysis, and discussion of the findings. In addition, you will get the chance to help with an ongoing study on patients with spinal cord pathologies.
The study involves the recruitment and measurement of young healthy control subjects. You will acquire knowledge about neurophysiological techniques such as evoked potentials (EP) and electroencephalography (EEG). You will take part in data acquisition, analysis, and discussion of the findings. In addition, you will get the chance to help with an ongoing study on patients with spinal cord pathologies.
Better peripheral characterization of intra-epidermal electrical stimulation (IES). The end goal is to enable the application of IES as a clinical diagnostic tool for spinal cord pathologies.
Better peripheral characterization of intra-epidermal electrical stimulation (IES). The end goal is to enable the application of IES as a clinical diagnostic tool for spinal cord pathologies.