Visceral pain evoked by thalamic microstimulation in humans

Neuroreport. 1995 Jan 26;6(2):369-74. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199501000-00035.

Abstract

Microstimulation within and below the ventrocaudal nucleus (Vc) in the human thalamus typically evokes non-painful, paraesthetic cutaneous sensations. We now describe cases in which thalamic microstimulation evoked visceral pains. Data were obtained during stereotactic thalamotomy procedures. Patient 211 had a history of essential tremor. At a site 0.5 mm ventroposterior to Vc, microstimulation elicited pain described as 'deep, internal, in a straight line like my appendix pain years ago'. Patient 153 had a history of post-stroke hemibody pain. In each of two trajectories, at sites approximately 2 mm ventroposterior to Vc, microstimulation evoked pain in the groin. At one of these sites, the pain was described as 'like having a baby'. These and additional observations suggest that stimulation ventroposterior to Vc can evoke visceral pain and may trigger pain 'memories'.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microelectrodes
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / physiopathology*
  • Thalamic Nuclei / physiopathology*
  • Viscera / innervation*