Electrical stimulation of the anterior cingulate cortex in a rat neuropathic pain model.

BACKGROUND Electrical stimulation is currently employed to treat several neurological conditions, including pain and Parkinson's disease. It is one of several minimally invasive alternatives to drug treatments for painful conditions. A number of studies have shown that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays an important role in the processing of pain and pain modulation. The purpose of this study is to investigate these neuropathic pain-relieving effects by delivering electrical stimulation into the ACC of rat models. METHODS Following the approval of the AAALAC and the Guidelines and Regulations for Use and Care of Animals in Yonsei University, rats were subjected to surgery under pentobarbital anesthesia (50 mg/kg, i.p.) to produce neuropathic pain. Electrodes were bilaterally implanted into the ACC with a metal holder for the electrical stimulation. The effect of the electrical stimulation of the ACC on the rat neuropathic pain model was measured by the von Frey test. FINDINGS The effect of electrical stimulation of the ACC on neuropathic pain was shown during stimulation at 30, 40, 50, and 60 min, and at 10 min after stimulation. In the pain ACC stimulation group, the response of mechanical allodynia was significantly reduced during the time of ACC electrical stimulation. CONCLUSION The mechanical allodynia of the neuropathic pain could be modulated by ACC electrical stimulation.