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Abstract
A population of neurons located in the cutaneous core of the principal sensory nucleus
of human thalamus (ventralis caudalis, Vc) has been identified that had their maximal
response to mechanical stimuli which were perceived as painful by the patients involved.
None of these cells responded to painful thermal stimuli. The graded responses of
these cells to mechanical stimuli extending into the painful range suggest they both
mediate acute pain in response to mechanical stimuli and participate in mechanical
hyperalgesia.