Sensory modulation of rat licking behaviour.
Published: 2006
Language: eng
Number of pages: 145
ISBN-13: 9780494210895
Description: Orofacial pain is very common in humans and is frequently associated with changes in motor behaviour. However, there is limited information available of the effects of orofacial pain on neuromuscular activity. The aims of this study were (1) to develop a model of licking behaviour in awake rats and (2) to test if injections of the algesic chemical glutamate into the tongue and masseter muscle alter the rat's licking behaviour. A rat model of stereotyped licking behaviour was developed. In this model, glutamate injection into the tongue, but not into the masseter muscle, significantly altered several variables of the licking behaviour in the awake rat. This finding provides the first documentation that noxious stimulation of the tongue has a modulatory effect on licking behaviour in the rat, and further suggests that the neural substrate for licking may be sensitive to selective nociceptive inputs from the orofacial region.
Notes: Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-03, page: 1439.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2006.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

ROBARTS MICROTEXT copy on microfiche.