Distribution of activity in spinal pathways evoked by experimental dorsal column stimulation.

Experiments were performed in rhesus monkeys to determine the distribution of activity evoked in spinal pathways by dorsal column stimulation. It was shown that many pathways in both the dorsal and ventral quadrants of the cord can be activated either directly or transsynaptically by stimulation with electrodes of the type implanted clinically. Moreover, the transsynaptically evoked responses recorded in each quadrant had somewhat different characteristics. Therefore, since the activation of each group of pathways may have differing effects in modifying the preception of noxious stimuli, the authors believe that changes in electrode position and stimulus parameters may be important in obtaining the therapeutic value of spinal cord stimulation for relief of pain.