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Assessing the modulation of cutaneous sensory fiber excitability using a fast perception threshold tracking technique
Author(s) -
Nielson Hoberg Tatiana,
Frahm Steffen,
Hennings Kristian,
ArendtNielsen Lars,
Dahl Mørch Carsten
Publication year - 2019
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.26520
Subject(s) - sensory threshold , sensory system , medicine , sensory nerve , nerve fiber , neuroscience , anatomy , biology , psychology , cognitive science
Topical application of lidocaine‐and‐prilocaine (LP) cream attenuates the functionality of small cutaneous nerve fibers. The aim of this human study was to measure the underlying excitability modulation of small cutaneous nerve fibers using a novel and fast perception threshold tracking (PTT) technique. Methods Small sensory fibers were selectively blocked by 120‐minute topical application of LP and confirmed by quantitative sensory testing. Excitability changes of small (activated by a specially designed pin electrode) and large (patch electrode) nerve fibers were assessed as the strength–duration relation and threshold electrotonus. Results The excitability assessed by the strength–duration relation and threshold electrotonus was significantly modulated for the small afferents ( P < 0.05, Wilcoxon's test) but not the large afferents. Discussion This novel PTT technique was able to assess inhibition of membrane properties of small cutaneous fibers, suggesting the usefulness of the technique as a diagnostic method for assessing impairment of small fibers, as seen in many types of polyneuropathies.