Axon Reflexes in cold-exposed fingers
conference paper
Prolonged immersion of fingers in cold water induces Cold-Induced Vasodilatation (CIVD). Although evidence is available that Arterio-Venous Anastomoses (AVAs) play an important role, the mechanism underlying CIVD remains unsolved. The main hypotheses are a paralysis of the AVAs due to an impaired neuromuscular transmission (I) and the occurrence of an axon reflex (2). In brief, the axon reflex theory states that peripheral cold pain fibers are triggered by the local cold. The resulting action potential releases vasodilator substances in all collaterals of the neuron. The result is vasodilatation in the cold-exposed body parts.
An experiment was set up to investigate the involvement of axon reflexes in CIVD. This was achieved using electrically evoked axon reflexes during cold-water immersion of a hand in 3 different thermal states of the body: hypothermia, hyperthermia and at thermoneutrality.
An experiment was set up to investigate the involvement of axon reflexes in CIVD. This was achieved using electrically evoked axon reflexes during cold-water immersion of a hand in 3 different thermal states of the body: hypothermia, hyperthermia and at thermoneutrality.
TNO Identifier
9853
Source title
Environmental Ergonomics VIII
Pages
11 - 14
Files
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