The NCF and PAG are brainstem nuclei involved in a network mediating anti- and pro-nociception, as largely shown from animal data (Fields and Basbaum, 1999 for a review, [Porreca et al., 2002] and [Gebhart, 2004]). Human imaging studies have shown that the PAG and NCF are activated during visceral and somatic pain (Dunckley et al., 2005) and that the NCF plays a key role in the development of experimental secondary hyperalgesia via possible facilitatory pro-nociceptive mechanisms (Zambreanu et al., 2005). The NCF and PAG have been shown to be important in brainstem modulation of pain in humans (Zambreanu et al., 2005), and connections to these nuclei provide an anatomical basis for results of recent studies involving pain control and perception ( [Lorenz et al., 2003], [Valet et al., 2004] and [Wager et al., 2004]). The NCF has recently been shown to be critical for the generation of secondary hyperalgesia in humans (Zambreanu et al., 2005). hadjipavloua2006painbrainstemconnectivitiy_pain.pdf

Midbrain anatomy. (Left) A midbrain section adapted with permission from Duvernoy’s Brainstem and Cerebellum atlas (p. 72). (Right) Proton density image showing the equivalent brainstem section and the locations of the NCF and PAG. The cerebral peduncles are highlighted for reference. PAG, periaquaductal grey; NCF, nucleus cuneiformis. hadjipavloua2006painbrainstemconnectivitiy_pain.pdf

The Descending Pain Modulatory SystemNCF (nucleus cuneiformis); PAG (periaqueductal gray); DLPT (dorsolateral pontine tegmentum); ACC (anterior cingulated cortex); +/− indicates both pro- and anti- nociceptive influences, respectively. tracey2007painperception_neuron.pdf

=Pain Modulation= Anatomic and behavioral data suggest that NCF plays an important role in sensory/motor integration relevant to pain transmission. The anatomical substrate and behavioral pharmacology of stimulation-produced analgesia resulting from electrical stimulation of the pontomesencephalic nucleuscuneiformis (NCF) was determined in the present study. Maximum increase in nociceptive tail-flick latencies following NCF stimulation occurred during the first 5 min post stimulation and decreased afterwards. The increased reflex latency could be attenuated by prior treatment with the narcotic antagonist, naloxone or the cholinergic antagonist, scopolamine. The anatomical projections of NCF were identified in autoradiographic and histochemical studies. Ipsilateral fibers coursed caudal from the NCF injection site through the ventral pontine reticular formation to innervate nucleus raphe magnus and the ipsilateral nucleus magnocellularis. At rostral medullary levels fibers coursed dorsolateral to innervate the ipsilateral nucleus reticularis parvocellularis. Descending contralateral fibers crossed through the decussation of the superior cerebellar peduncle, then coursed ventrolaterally projecting to the contralateral nucleus magnocellularis. Two primary groups of ascending fibers were observed. The dorsally located group ascended through the central tegmental tract projecting to the dorsal raphe, ipsilateral periaqueductal gray, nucleus parafascicularis and centromedianus, the intermediolateral and lateral thalamic nuclei. The ventrolateral from the injection site projecting to the substantia nigra, zona compacta, ventral tegmental area of Tsai, zona incerta, Fields of Forel, lateral hypothalamic nucleus and nucleus reuniens. zemlan1988ncfmpainmodulation_brainresearch.pdf

Searches so far: Nucleus Cuneiformis Nucleus Cuneiformis pain Nucleus Cuneiformis emotion Nucleus Cuneiformis pain emotion

(classic papers, best papers) APA 5th format from Endnote, e.g.,

Fields, H. L. (2000). Pain modulation: expectation, opioid analgesia and virtual pain.Progress in brain research, 122, 245-253.

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Inputs Name, and code Strength (L, M, H), Confidence (L, M, H), Transmitter(s)

Outputs Name, and code Strength (L, M, H), Confidence (L, M, H), Transmitter(s)

Functions

Summary list

Function Area 1 [Name]

Effects of stimulation List with references. Unordered List Item

Effects of lesions/inactivation List with references. Unordered List Item

Effects of microinjection List with references. Unordered List Item

Optogenetics List with references. Unordered List Item

Other

Function Area 2 [Name]

Effects of stimulation List with references. Unordered List Item

Effects of lesions/inactivation List with references. Unordered List Item

Effects of microinjection List with references. Unordered List Item

Optogenetics List with references. Unordered List Item

Other

Studies activating

Coordinates Coordinates (x, y, z): [0, 0, 0] , [0, 0, 0] Say how overall coordinates were derived here (single study? average? structural landmark?)

Specific study coordinates (if not too many)

Study Description x y z 1st Author Name 20xx Contrast Descrip 0 0 0 1st Author Name 20xx Contrast Descrip 0 0 0 1st Author Name 20xx Contrast Descrip 0 0 0

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