Intraspinal connections of dorsal column postsynaptic neurons in the cat--a physiological analysis.

Dorsal column postsynaptic (DCPS) neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord have been identified by antidromic stimulation and intracellularly recorded in anesthetized cats. In about one-half of the cells, the antidromic stimulus evokes only an antidromic potential. This potential sometimes has an atypical shape due to penetration-induced depolarization. Atypieal potentials arc converted into typical antidromic spike potentials after intracellular injection of hyperpolarizing current. In the other one-half, the antidromic potentials are followed by postsynaptic activity. Intracellular analysis indicates that this postsynaptic activity is generated largely by activation of the intraspinal collaterals of A-beta primary afferents that are ascending the dorsal columns. Part of this postsynaptic activity has been produced monosynaptically. Polysynaptic responses are also evident; these are thought to be initiated by A-beta axons, desending axons from neurons in the dorsal column nuclei, or the local collaterals of the DCPS axons themselves. The results indicate that the DCPS system is nonlemniscal in nature and may be involved in those pain modulation systems that are activated by A-beta afferents.