Warm and cold specific somatosensory systems. Psychophysical thresholds, reaction times and peripheral conduction velocities

Abstract

Perception thresholds for warm and cold sensation were measured by two methods, the method of levels and the method of limits, at various rates of temperature change. The following findings were obtained. (1) The threshold value is critically dependent upon the method through which it is obtained, being higher for the method that includes reaction time in the measurement. (2) When using a method that includes participation of reaction time, threshold increases with increasing rate of temperature change. (3) The artefactual threshold elevation recorded through the method of limits corresponds precisely to the reaction time. (4) Conduction velocities for the primary afferents mediating the sensations of warm and cold, calculated on the basis of reaction time and conduction distance are in keeping with the mediation of warm sensation by unmyelinated primary afferents and of cold sensation by small myelinated afferents. (5) Measurement of threshold by the method of levels and direct measurement of reaction time enables calculation of conduction velocity for the specific sensory submodality tested from a single stimulation site.