862406
Description
Gate Control Theory
- Idea proposed by Melzack and Wall (1965)
- Pain is transmitted to the spinal cord by large A Delta and smaller C fibres
- These fibres terminate on inhibitory interneurons in the
substantia gelatinosa (laminae in the dorsal horn or the
spinal cord)
- Cells in the substantia gelatinosa act as a
gate, regulating transmission impulses to the
CNS
- Stimulation of the non-nociceptive A fibres, such as
touch, vibration or thermal stimuli, cuase the cells in
the substantia gelatinosa to 'close the pain gate'.
- This diminishes pain perception
- This diminishes pain perception
- Small fibre input inhibits cells in
the substantia gelatinosa to
'open the pain gate'
- This enhances pain perception
- This enhances pain perception
- The CNS through efferent pathways, may also close, partially close or open the gates
- Stimulation of the non-nociceptive A fibres, such as
touch, vibration or thermal stimuli, cuase the cells in
the substantia gelatinosa to 'close the pain gate'.
- Cells in the substantia gelatinosa act as a
gate, regulating transmission impulses to the
CNS
- These fibres terminate on inhibitory interneurons in the
substantia gelatinosa (laminae in the dorsal horn or the
spinal cord)
- GCT is inadequate to explain some chronic pain
problems such as 'phantom limb pain' instead the
Neuromatrix theory was proposed to explain
this.
- The perception of pain is called
nociception and depends on
specifically dedicated receptors and
afferent pathways that detect and
transmit noxious or damaging
stimuli
- The experience of pain by Gate Control
Theory emphasises the activation of
non-nociceptive afferent input coming into
the dorsal horn of the spinal cord to inhibit
pain signals as well as the dynamic role of
the brain in modulating the pain process
- The experience of pain by Gate Control
Theory emphasises the activation of
non-nociceptive afferent input coming into
the dorsal horn of the spinal cord to inhibit
pain signals as well as the dynamic role of
the brain in modulating the pain process
Want to create your own Mind Maps for free with GoConqr? Learn more.