Effect of leucine-enkephalin on the neuronal activity of the cerebral cortex]

In the experiments on non-anesthetised, flaxedilimmobilized rats it has been shown that the injection of leucin-enkephalin (150 micrograms) into the lateral ventricle of the rat brain induces different changes in the activity of 21 test neurons of the sensomotor zone of the brain cortex. Spike discharges of 5 neurons decreased, while those of 11 neurons increased. Naloxone (2 mg/kg, i. v.) completely prevented both inhibiting and activating effects of leucin-enkephalin after repeated injections of this pentapeptide. Leucin-enkephalin failed to change the activity of 5 neurons.     

DIFFERENTIATION OF DOPAMINERGIC AND NORADRENERGIC NEURONS IN RAT SPINAL CORD

Abstract— Norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DM) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HVA) content have been measured in different parts of rat spinal cord and cerebellum by a gas chromatographic mass spectrometric method. In cerebellum, which does not contain dopaminergic neurons, the ratio of NE to DA content was 47, whereas in parts of the spinal cord this ratio varied between 11 and 19. In the cord after desipramine (25 mg/kg, i.p.) plus 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HDA, 100/jg intracisternally), there was a significant depletion of DM but not of NE. Conversely, after benztropine (25 mg/kg, i.p.) plus 6-HDA there was a significant depletion of NE but not of DM. Chlorpromazine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or clozapine (25 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a significant increase in spinal cord HVA concentration 1 h after treatment. Evidence is presented which suggests that the increased HVA measured in the cord did not originate in the brain. After electrolytic lesion of the locus coeruleus there was a significant reduction of NE but not of DM. Spinal cord DM and NE were depleted by reserpine in a dose-dependent manner, the threshold dose for DM depletion being less than that for NE depletion. Seven days after cord transection at T₁₀ spinal cord DM was significantly reduced in the lumbar region. These results suggest that dopaminergic neurons exist in rat spinal cord independently of noradrenergic neurons and that the DM is likely to be present in the terminals of descending axons.     

Morphine-Induced Changes in Histamine Dynamics in Mouse Brain

The effect of the acute morphine treatment on histamine (HA) pools in the brain and the spinal cord was examined in mice. Morphine (1-50 mg/kg, s.c.) administered alone caused no significant change in the steady-state levels of HA and its major metabolite, tele-methylhistamine (t-MH), in the brain. However, depending on the doses tested, morphine significantly enhanced the pargyline (65 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced accumulation of t-MH and this effect was antagonized by naloxone. A specific inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase, alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (alpha-FMH) (50 mg/kg, i.p.), decreased the brain HA level in consequence of the almost complete depletion of the HA pool with a rapid turnover. Morphine further decreased the brain HA level in alpha-FMH-pretreated mice. Morphine administered alone significantly reduced the HA level in the spinal cord, an area where the turnover of HA is very slow. These results suggest that the acute morphine treatment increases the turnover of neuronal HA via opioid receptors, and this opiate also releases HA from a slowly turning over pool(s).     

Antagonism of kappa opioid mediated effects in the rat by cyclo(Leu-Gly)

The effect of cyclo(Leu-Gly) on U-50,488H- induced pharmacological actions was determined in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of U-50,488H to rats produced analgesia (tail-flick) and increased urinary output. Cyclo (Leu-Gly) (1-4 mg/kg, s.c.) antagonized the analgesic response to U-50,488H (25 mg/kg; i.p.). A dose of 10 mg/kg (i.p.) of U-50,488H increased the spontaneous urinary output which was antagonized by cyclo (Leu-Gly) (1-4 mg/kg; s.c.). To determine whether cyclo (Leu-Gly) was acting as a kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, the effect of cyclo (Leu-Gly) on the binding of [3H]ethylketocyclazocine (EKC) to membranes of rat cerebral cortex and spinal cord was determined. The IC50 values of cyclo(Leu-Gly) in displacing [3H]EKC from its binding sites in cortex and spinal cord were 1.44 and 0.40 mM, respectively. Chronic administration of U-50,488H (25 mg/kg; i.p., b.i.d.) for 4 days induced tolerance to its analgesic effect. The latter was not affected by cyclo(Leu-Gly) (2 to 8 mg/kg; s.c.) given once a day for 4 days. It is concluded that cyclo(Leu-Gly) antagonizes acute actions of U-50,488H and that such effects of cyclo(Leu-Gly) are not mediated via a direct action on kappa-opioid receptors.     

Effect of bemegride on root potentials of the frog spinal cord

The effect of the convulsant bemegride (β-ethyl-β-methylglutarimide) on spinal-root potentials was investigated in frogs. After intravenous injection in subconvulsant doses (5–12 mg/kg) bemegride caused rapid depression of the dorsal-root potentials evoked by stimulation of the neighboring dorsal or ventral root. Their amplitude fell by 55–67% 3–6 min after bemegride injection. The action of bemegride was reversible and the amplitude of the dorsal-root potentials returned to its initial level within 1 h. Ventral-root potentials showed greater fluctuations of amplitude after injection of bemegride than in the control. Bemegride is evidently an effective agent blocking depolarization of primary afferents in the frog spinal cord.     

Effects of barium on isolated frog spinal cord

The effects of Ba2+ were studied in vitro on the isolated frog spinal cord. Ba2+ (25 microM-5 mM) caused a concentration-dependent depolarization of ventral (VR) and dorsal (DR) roots. TTX and Mg2+ substantially reduced the depolarization suggesting that interneuronal effects were involved. Ba2+ (25-500 microM) markedly increased the frequency and duration of spontaneous VR and DR potentials and substantially enhanced the duration (and frequently the amplitude) of VR and DR potentials evoked by DR stimulation. Higher concentrations of Ba2+ (1-5 mM) reduced both spontaneous and evoked potentials. Ba2+ (25-500 microM) enhanced the amount of K+ released by a DR volley and by application of L-glutamate and L-aspartate. The cation reduced VR and DR root depolarizations produced by elevated [K+]0. VR potentials induced by L-glutamate, L-aspartate, GABA and glycine and DR depolarizations caused by GABA were reduced by Ba2+. These results show that Ba2+ has complex actions on reflex transmission, interneuronal activity, the postsynaptic actions of excitatory and inhibitory amino acids and the evoked release of K+.     

Cardiovascular responses to intrathecal administration of endomorphins in anesthetized rats

Endomorphins (EMs), the endogenous, potent and selective mu-opioid receptor agonists, have been shown to decrease systemic arterial pressure (SAP) in rats after intravenous (i.v.) administration. In the present study, cardiovascular responses to intrathecal (i.t.) injection of EMs were investigated in urethane-anesthetized rats. It is noteworthy that EMs elicited decreases in SAP and heart rate (HR) in a dose-dependent manner; 10-300nmol/kg were injected intrathecally. Furthermore, these vasodepressor and bradycardic effects were significantly antagonized by naloxone (0.5mg/kg, i.t.). Interestingly, i.t. (5mg/kg) or i.v. (50mg/kg) administrations of N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME) attenuated the vasodepressor and bradycardic effects. Moreover, pretreatment of the rats with muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (2mg/kg, i.v.) and alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (1mg/kg, i.v.) significantly reduced the vasodepressor effects of EMs. Nevertheless, pretreatment with beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (2mg/kg, i.v.) could only block the bradycardia effects induced by EMs, but had no significant effects on the hypotension. In summary, all the results suggested that i.t. administration of EMs decreased SAP and HR which were possibly mediated by the activation of opioid receptors in the rat spinal cord. In addition, nitric oxide (NO) release in both the spinal cord and in peripheral tissues might regulate the cardiovascular activities of EMs, and the muscarinic receptor and adrenoceptor played an important role in the regulation of the cardiovascular responses to i.t. administration of EMs.     

Antinociceptive effect induced by intraperitoneal administration of vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) in ICR mice

The antinociceptive effect of vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) in mice was examined using tail-flick and formalin test. Menatetrenone at doses of 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p. produced a dose-dependent and significant inhibition of the tail-flick response in mice. Menatetrenone (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) had no significant effect on the duration of the first phase of the formalin-induced flinching. However, menatetrenone (100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly inhibited the second phase of the formalin-induced flinching. I.p. administration of menatetrenone (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the duration of nociceptive responses induced by i.t. injection of bradykinin, but not of substance P, prostaglandin E2 or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). These present data suggest that i.p. pretreatment with menatetrenone produced dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in mice. This effect may be, at least in part, mediated by the inhibition of bradykinin dependent nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord.     

Involvement of kappa/dynorphin system in the development of tolerance to nicotine-induced antinociception

The aim of the present study was to explore the possible role of kappa/dynorphin system in the development of tolerance to nicotine antinociception in mice. First, we observed that kappa-opioid receptor (KOP-r) participates in the acute spinal antinociception produced by nicotine (3 and 5 mg/kg, s.c.) since the pre-treatment with the selective kappa antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) attenuated this response in the tail-immersion test but not in the hot-plate test nor in locomotor responses. Possible changes in the expression of KOP-r were investigated in tolerant mice to nicotine antinociception by using autoradiography of [³H]CI-977 binding. The density of KOP-r decreased in the spinal cord of tolerant mice. In addition, bi-directional cross-tolerance between nicotine (3 and 5 mg/kg, s.c.) and the selective kappa agonist U50,488H (10 mg/kg, s.c.) was found in the tail-immersion test. Recent evidences indicate that an up-regulation of dynorphin levels in the spinal cord and subsequent activation of NMDA receptors participate in the development of tolerance to opioid and cannabinoid antinociception. In this study, dynorphin content in the lumbar spinal cord was similar in control and nicotine tolerant mice. Furthermore, the administration of the NMDA antagonist MK-801 (0.03 and 0.01 mg/kg, i.p.) before each daily nicotine injection did not modify the development of nicotine tolerance. In summary, these data indicate that KOP-r is directly involved in the development of tolerance to nicotine antinociception by a mechanism independent from dynorphin and NMDA receptors.     

5,5-Diphenylhydantoin Antagonizes Neurochemical and Behavioral Effects of p, p'-DDT but Not of Chlordecone

Abstract: Rats were given 75 mg/kg of 5,5-diphenylhydantoin (phenytoin) or vehicle 30 min prior to 75 mg/kg of 1, 1, 1-trichloro-bis( p -chlorophenyl)ethane ( p, p' -DDT) (p.o.) or chlordecone (i.p.) and tremor was measured 12 h later. Rats were then killed, and regional brain levels of biogenie amines and their acid metabolites and amino acids were determined. Pretreatment with phenytoin significantly attenuated the tremor produced by p, p' -DDT but enhanced that produced by chlordecone. p, p' -DDT had significant effects on the levels of asparate, glutamate, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), whereas chlordecone increased glycine, 5-HIAA, and MHPG levels. Pretreatment with phenytoin blocked p.p' -DDT-induced increases of aspartate in the brainstem and spinal cord, 5-HIAA in the hippocampus, and MHPG in the brainstem and hypothalamus. Phenytoin significantly enhanced chlordecone-induced increases of MHPG in the brainstem. These data indicate that organo-chlorine-induced increases in noradrenergic activity in the brainstem and spinal cord may be directly related to the tremorigenic effects of these chemicals.     

Effects of hydrocortisone on electrical activity of the cat spinal cord

The effect of the corticosteroid hormone hydrocortisone on electrical activity in the lumbosacral portion of the spinal cord was studied in acute experiments on cats anesthetized with urethane and chloralose and immobilized with succinylcholine. The amplitude of mono- and polysynaptic discharges arising in the ventral roots in response to stimulation of various afferents of the animal's hind limb was increased by a statistically significant degree after intravenous injection of the hormone. The potentiating action of the hormone was strongest and most stable with respect to early and late postsynaptic potentials of the spinal cord. The dorsal cord potentials were not significantly changed by hydrocortisone. Spontaneous unit activity in the intermediate nucleus of the spinal cord rose sharply after administration of hydrocortisone. Before the action of the hormone the mean frequency of spontaneous discharges of 46 neurons was 7.91/sec, rising to 20/sec after the injection. The number of neurons with a high spontaneous firing rate also was increased. Prolonged extracellular recording of the spontaneous activity of the same neuron before and after administration of hydrocortisone also revealed a marked increase in the frequency of its discharges. The results are evidence of the activating effect of hydrocortisone on spinal interneuronal activity.     

Chlordiazepoxide inhibition of reflex vagal bradycardia in the cat

The effect of chlordiazepoxide (CDZ) on phenylephrine-induced reflex vagal bradycardia was studied in cats anesthetized with chloralose. The sympathetic component of the reflex was eliminated by either pretreating the animals with propranolol (1 mg/kg, i.v.) or sectioning the spinal cord. In animals pretreated with propranolol, CDZ (3, 10 and 20 mg/kg, i.v.) produced a dose-related inhibition of phenylephrine-induced bradycardia. These doses of CDZ had no significant effect on phenylephrine-induced pressor responses. Similar results were obtained with CDZ in animals with spinal cords transected. Chlordiazepoxide did not prevent bradycardia evoked by electrical stimulation of the peripheral cut-end of the right vagus nerve. These results indicate that CDZ can inhibit reflex vagal bradycardia and that the inhibition involves a central action of the drug.     

Effects of dopamine on background and evoked activity in interneurons of a spinal cord segment isolated from infant rats

The effects of 1·10^–5–1·10^–3 M dopamine on background and evoked interneuronal-activity was investigated during experiments on a spinal cord segment isolated from 11–18-day old infnat rats. Dopamine induced an increase in background firing activity rate in 52.5% and a reduced rate in 42.5% of the total sample of responding cells. Dopamine exerted a primarily inhibitory effect on interneuronal activity invoked by dorsal root stimulation, as witnessed by the reduced amplitude of the postsynaptic component of field potentials in the dorsal horn together with the fact that invoked activity was depressed in 66.7% of total interneurons responding to dopamine and facilitated in only 33.3% of these cells. All dopamine-induced effects were reversible and dose-dependent. Dopamine-induced effects disappeared after superfusing the brain with a solution containing 0–0.1 mM Ca²⁺ and 2 mM Mn²⁺, suggesting that this response is of transsynaptic origin. In other cells the excitatory or inhibitory action of dopamine also persisted in a medium blocking synaptic transmission; this would indicate the possibility of dopamine exerting depolarizing and hyperpolarizing effects on the interneuron membrane directly. Contrasting responses to dopamine in interneurons may be attributed to the presence of different types of dopamine receptors in the spinal cord.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 7–16, January–February, 1989.     

慢性吗啡预处理减弱急性吗啡对伏隔核谷氨酸能突触传递的影响

吗啡长期作用后会产生成瘾(addiction),严重影响其临床应用。前额叶(prefrontal cortex,PFC)投射至伏隔核(nucleus accumbens,NAc)的谷氨酸能突触对奖赏效应有重要的调节作用,但该突触在吗啡成瘾中的具体作用尚不完全清楚。为探讨PFC至NAc的谷氨酸能突触在成瘾形成过程中的具体作用及其机制,本研究利用成年大鼠在体记录的方式,记录电刺激PFC至NAc谷氨酸能传入纤维引起的NAc壳区场兴奋性突触后电位(filed excitatory postsynaptic potential,fEPSP),观察慢性吗啡/盐水预处理后依次急性皮下注射吗啡及腹腔注射纳络酮对fEPSP幅值和配对脉冲比率(paired-pulse ratio,PPR)的影响。结果显示,与基础fEPSP相比,慢性盐水预处理组急性皮下注射吗啡能够增强fEPSP幅值并减小PPR,纳络酮能够反转这种现象。慢性吗啡预处理组急性皮下注射吗啡增强的fEPSP幅度较盐水预处理组减小,纳络酮同样能够反转吗啡作用;吗啡注射后PPR仅有降低的趋势,而纳络酮注射能够显著增高基础PPR。这些结果表明,吗啡首次作用可通过突触前机制增强PFC到NAc的谷氨酸能突触传递,而慢性吗啡预处理后,由吗啡再次作用诱导的突触前谷氨酸能突触传递增强有所减弱,提示NAc中可能存在对成瘾药物的神经适应性现象。     

M受体对吗啡戒断大鼠脊髓和脑干NMDA受体基因表达及中脑导水管周围灰质中谷氨酸释放的调节

应用鞘内注射反义寡脱氧核苷酸技术和RT—PCR反应,观察毒蕈碱型乙酰胆碱受体(muscarinic acetylcholine receptor,M)对吗啡依赖大鼠脊髓和脑干NMDA受体NR1A和NR2A mRNA表达和中脑导水管周围灰质区(periaqueductal grey,PAG)中谷氨酸释放的影响。结果显示,吗啡依赖大鼠脊髓NR1A和NR2A mRNA表达明显升高,而脑干中NR1A和NR2A mRNA表达没有显著变化;注射纳洛酮后1h,吗啡戒断大鼠脊髓和脑干中NR1A和NR2A表达显著高于依赖组,经NMDA受体拮抗剂MK801(0．125mg／kg,i．p．)、M受体拮抗剂东莨菪碱(0．5mg／kg,i．p．)、M1受体拮抗剂呱伦西平(10mg/kg,i．p．)和NOS抑制剂L-NAME(10mg／kg,i．p．)处理后,脊髓和脑干中NR1A和NR2A基因表达都较戒断组明显减少。在纳洛酮激发前24h鞘内注射NR1A和M2受体的反义寡脱氧核苷酸(4μg／只),戒断症状评分值及脊髓和脑干的NR1A mRNA的表达均较对照组明显减少。吗啡依赖大鼠在纳洛酮注射前24h鞘内注射M2受体反义寡脱氧核苷酸(4μg/只),可以明显减少PAG内透析液中谷氨酸含量。上述结果提示：NMDA受体的基因表达和谷氨酸释放参与吗啡戒断过程,而这种表达受到M受体的调节。     

Effects of the Histamine H3-Agonist (R)-α-Methylhistamine and the Antagonist Thioperamide on Histamine Metabolism in the Mouse and Rat Brain

To study the feedback control by histamine (HA) H3-receptors on the synthesis and release of HA at nerve endings in the brain, the effects of a potent and selective H3-agonist, (R)-alpha-methylhistamine, and an H3-antagonist, thioperamide, on the pargyline-induced accumulation of tele-methylhistamine (t-MH) in the brain of mice and rats were examined in vivo. (R)-alpha-Methylhistamine dihydrochloride (6.3 mg free base/kg, i.p.) and thioperamide (2 mg/kg, i.p.), respectively, significantly decreased and increased the steady-state t-MH level in the mouse brain, whereas these compounds produced no significant changes in the HA level. When administered to mice immediately after pargyline (65 mg/kg, i.p.), (R)-alpha-methylhistamine (3.2 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited the pargyline-induced increase in the t-MH level almost completely during the first 2 h after treatment. Thioperamide (2 mg/kg, i.p.) enhanced the pargyline-induced t-MH accumulation by approximately 70% 1 and 2 h after treatment. Lower doses of (R)-alpha-methylhistamine (1.3 mg/kg) and thioperamide (1 mg/kg) induced significant changes in the pargyline-induced t-MH accumulation in the mouse brain. In the rat, (R)-alpha-methylhistamine (3.2 mg/kg, i.p.) and thioperamide (2 mg/kg, i.p.) also affected the pargyline-induced t-MH accumulation in eight brain regions and the effects were especially marked in the cerebral cortex and amygdala. These results indicate that these compounds have potent effects on HA turnover in vivo in the brain.     

Selective analyzers of dopamine D2 receptors modulate serotonin metabolism in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of the rat brain during blockade of dopaminergic impulse flow]

Effects of D2 dopamine receptor selective agonists: quinpirole (0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, i. p.), pergolide (0.3 mg/kg, i. p.), lisuride (0.1 mg/kg, i. p.) and antagonist raclopride (1.2 mg/kg, i. p.) on the metabolism and synthesis of DA and serotonin in the rat brain striatum and nucleus accumbens after GBL treatment were studied. GBL as well as dopamine D2 receptor selective drugs were shown not only to change neurochemical parameters of dopaminergic brain systems, but also to modulate serotonin metabolism without affecting its biosynthesis.     

Repeated Administration of Mirtazapine Attenuates Oxaliplatin-Induced Mechanical Allodynia and Spinal NR2B Up-Regulation in Rats

Chemotherapic drugs may elicit acute or chronic peripheral neuropathies. Mirtazapine, as an antidepressant, is also used for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of mirtazapine on the oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy in rats as well as the underlying mechanism. A neuropathy model was established in Sprague–Dawley rats by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of oxaliplatin 4 mg/kg twice a week for 4 weeks. The therapeutic potential of mirtazapine 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg/day per-orally for 28 consecutive days was evaluated. Subsequently, a dose of 1 mg/kg of WAY100635 i.p., a selective antagonist of 5-HT_1A receptor, was preadministrated before mirtazapine 20 mg/kg/day per-orally in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy. The behavioral tests and the expression of NMDA receptor subunit NR2B were determined. The results displayed that repeated administration of mirtazapine 20 or 30 mg/kg/day for 28 consecutive days significantly attenuated the mechanical allodynia and the up-regulation of spinal cord NR2B but not the cold hyperalgesia in rats with oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy, which was reversed by WAY100635 preadministration. Our findings suggest that oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia is associated with spinal NR2B up-regulation, which may be attenuated by mirtazapine administration.     

Histological effects of 6-mercaptopurine on the fetal rat central nervous system: a light-microscopic study.

Wistar rats were administered single doses of 16 or 50 mg/kg 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) on day 12 of pregnancy. Necrosis in the fetal forebrain and spinal cord was studied by light microscope 6, 12, 14, 48, 72, and 81 h and 8 days afterward. The extent of necrosis was dose dependent. The first necroses were seen after 24 h, regardless of location (brain, spinal cord) or dose; but the extent was greatest after 48 h. All necrotic cells had a typical appearance; they were ballooned and often fragmented, their nuclei were darkly colored and frequently pyknotic, and they were often karyorhexic. Necroses appeared almost exclusively at sites of beginning cellular differentiation, i.e., in the intermediate zone. In the spinal cord the ventricular zone was also necrotic and the alar plate (dorsal horn) always affected. Phagocytizing cells (macrophages) appeared in the spinal cord after 48 h and in the brain after 72 h. After 81 h all the necrotic material had been phagocytized, at which time there was a massive congestion of the extra- and intracerebral vessels. Hemorrhages appeared in defined localizations. Eight days after exposure to 16 mg/kg 6-MP fetuses no longer showed any visible deviations. Fetuses exposed to 50 mg/kg showed deviations in the cytoarchitecture of the neopallium: an extremely broadened ventricular zone, few cells in the intermediate zone, and extensive rarefaction cells in the cortical plate with no clear layer structure. In the spinal cord, cleft formations were especially noticeable in the dorsal-horn region. All fetuses showed a hydrocephalus externus after 50 mg/kg. The mechanism leading to necrosis is discussed.     

Epidural recordings of electrical events produced in the spinal cord by segmental, ascending and descending volleys

Epidural electrodes implanted for a percutaneous trial of therapeutic spinal cord stimulation were used to record electrical events evoked by the stimulation of peripheral nerves or of the spinal cord itself. The data collected in patients with no neurological deficit were analyzed in order (1) to check the consistency between epidural and surface recordings, (2) to get information on the genesis of such potentials, and (3) to demonstrate the feasibility of complex neurophysiological studies by means of epidural electrodes. Spinal cord potentials evoked by segmental volleys were recorded at cervical levels with the recording electrodes anterior, lateral and posterior to the spinal cord. The refractory period of the evoked potentials has been studied as well. Responses to stimulation of the tibial nerve were obtained at T11-12 vertebral level with posterior epidural electrodes. Segmental cervical potentials were characterized by a P10, N11, N13/P13 followed by a slow positivity/negativity. A response of similar waveform, but with different peak latencies, was recorded at segmental levels following tibial nerve stimulation. Such a response showed an increasing number of spikes while ascending along the spinal cord. Maximum conduction velocities in the cord were between 65 and 85 m/s. Our epidural recordings are similar to those obtained from the skin, but with a greater amplitude and waveform resolution. Furthermore, the use of epidural electrodes made it feasible to perform complex examinations of sensory function (i.e., the study of orthodromic and antidromic conduction along the dorsal cord and of the influence of a single dorsal cord volley on the segmental cervical potential). Finally, the genesis of the potentials recorded is discussed.