Ventrobasal Complex - VB Neurons

VB Neurons

The VB has two type of nociceptive neurons that provide input to the VB: nociceptive specific (NS) neurons and Wide dynamic range neuron (WDR).

NS neurons respond specifically to a noxious mechanical stimuli, whereas WDR neurons respond to a graded mechanical stimuli. NS and WDR neurons within the VB are somatotopically organized. NS neurons are located more caudally in the VB, while WDR neurons are located more rostrally. All inputs into the VB are contralateral and have two different receptive fields within the VB. The VPM receptive field receives input from the contralateral trigeminal nerve and the VPL receptive field receives input from the contralateral spinal nerve. Each have NS and WDR neurons but terminate either caudally or rostrally respectively.