Figure 1

Two-dimensional distribution of 10 histologically identified recording sites plotted on a schematic diagram [16] of the ventrobasal complex of the thalamus corresponding to bregma -3.14 mm, which delineates the posterior nucleus group (Po), ventral posteromedial nucleus (VPM), and VPL. Units from intact control (open circles), 10 days after chronic constriction injury (CCI) ipsilateral side (open squares), and CCI contralateral side (filled triangles) groups are shown (A). All units used in this analysis were confined to the VPL. Representative extracellular multireceptive unit recordings plotted as peristimulus time histograms as well as unit activity are shown for intact (B), and ipsilateral (C) and contralateral (D) sides after CCI in response to phasic brush, 144 g/mm² press, and 583 g/mm² pinch, stimulation (10 sec) of peripheral receptive fields located on the corresponding hindpaw. Quantification (E) of spikes/second show that 10 days after CCI, on the contralateral side, evoked discharge rates were significantly (*p < 0.05) elevated in response to all peripheral stimuli compared to intact animals and the ipsilateral side of CCI animals.