Central Action of G-32883 Upon Transmission of Trigeminal Pain Impulses

Abstract

In awake cats with electrodes permanently implanted in the spinal V sensory nucleus and in the nucleus center median of the thalamus, sensory transmission of facial pain impulses was studied immediately prior and after the administration of G-32883 at doses of 10 mg/kg. The drug produced a partial but significant depression of the trigeminal evoked potentials recorded from the bulbar level, and an almost complete or total abolition of the potentials recorded from center median. G-32883 has certain selectivity upon the neurons involved in central transmission of trigeminal pain impulses, and it is suggested that the pharmacological relief of trigeminal neuralgia may be accounted for by the selective depressant effect occurring at the bulbar as well as the thalamic level.