Direct somatosensory projections from the spinal cord to the hypothalamus and telencephalon

Somatosensory input to the hypothalamus has been thought to ascend via an indirect, multisynaptic pathway. However, we have antidromically identified nociceptive spinal cord neurons that project directly to the lateral hypothalamus in rats. Retrograde tracers injected into the lateral hypothalamus labeled many spinal neurons bilaterally within the marginal zone, the lateral reticulated area, the lateral spinal nucleus, and the area surrounding the central canal. An anterograde tracer injected into these areas of the spinal cord labeled fibers and terminals in the lateral hypothalamus and, surprisingly, in a number of telencephalic areas. These findings demonstrate a direct somatosensory projection from the spinal cord to the hypothalamus and several telencephalic regions.</jats:p

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on cognition, behavior, and rest-activity rhythm in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, combined type

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldOBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on cognition, behavior, and the rest-activity rhythm in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type (ADHD-CT). METHODS: Twenty-two children diagnosed with ADHD-CT received TENS treatment during 6 weeks, 2 times 30 min a day. Neuropsychological tests were administered to assess cognition, parent/teacher behavioral rating scales were used to measure behavior, and actigraphy was used to assess the rest-activity rhythm. RESULTS: TENS appeared to have a moderate beneficial influence on cognitive functions that load particularly on executive function. There was also improvement in behavior as measured by parent/teacher behavioral rating scales. Moreover, motor restlessness during sleep and motor activity during the day decreased by TENS. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of TENS in children with ADHD are modest but encouraging and warrant further research