A novel affective–motivational‐based Overground System for detecting spinal cord injury‐associated thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity in rats

Abstract

We have designed an Overground System that is easy to establish and addresses a major concern in preclinical pain research by providing a cognitive- and motivational-based system for hypersensitivity detection. The affective-motivational-based Overground System allows examination of pain-like behaviours in response to cold (thermal) and rough (mechanical) stimulation prior to and following spinal cord injury. This system provides a more holistic and comprehensive assessment of nociceptive responses following SCI and helps overcome concerns of hyperreflexia confounding-evoked behavioural outcome measures in SCI models. Further, the incorporation of cognitive and motivational components brings preclinical research closer to replicating the clinical experience of a patient's motivation to participate in rewarding lifestyle activities in relation to their pain.

Combined non-psychoactive Cannabis components cannabidiol and β-caryophyllene reduce chronic pain via CB1 interaction in a rat spinal cord injury model

“…The method to induce SCI via clip compression [38] has been used successfully by our laboratory for pharmacologic antinociceptive evaluations and hypersensitivity evaluations over the past several years [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]. For all surgeries, aseptic surgical techniques were used.…”