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Acute vibration reduces Aβ nerve fiber sensitivity and alters gene expression in the ventral tail nerves of rats
Author(s) -
Krajnak Kristine,
Waugh Stacey,
Wirth Oliver,
Kashon Michael L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.20804
Subject(s) - calcitonin gene related peptide , sensory system , sensory nerve , nerve fiber , medicine , peripheral , sensory threshold , neuroscience , endocrinology , anatomy , biology , neuropeptide , psychology , receptor , cognitive science
Long‐term occupational exposure to hand–arm vibration can result in a permanent reduction in tactile sensitivity in exposed fingers and hands. Little is known about how vibration causes this reduction in sensitivity, and currently no testing procedures have been developed to monitor changes in sensory perception during ongoing exposures. We used a rat‐tail model of hand–arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) to determine whether changes in sensory nerve function could be detected after acute exposure to vibration. Nerve function was assessed using the current perception threshold (CPT) method. We also determined whether changes in nerve function were associated with changes in gene transcription. Our results demonstrate that the CPT method can be used to assess sensory nerve function repeatedly in rats and can detect transient decreases in the sensitivity of Aβ nerve fibers caused by acute exposure to vibration. This decrease in Aβ fiber sensitivity was associated with a reduction in expression of nitric oxide synthase‐1, and a modest increase in calcitonin gene–related peptide transcript levels in tail nerves 24 h after vibration exposure. These transient changes in sensory perception and transcript levels induced by acute vibration exposure may be indicators of more prolonged changes in peripheral nerve physiology. Muscle Nerve, 2007