Intrathecally applied morphine inhibits nociceptive C fiber input to the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) of the rat
Nociceptive C fiber input to SI in the halothane-nitrous oxide anesthetized rat was assessed by recording cortical field potentials evoked by noxious thermal cutaneous stimulation with CO2-laser pulses. Morphine topically applied onto the lumbar spinal cord produced a dose-dependent inhibition of nociceptive C fiber input from the hind paw to the contralateral SI. The inhibitory effect of morphine