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Abstract
In this article, we propose that the pathways mediating the motivational aspect of
pain originate in laminae VII and VIII of the spinal cord, and in the deep layers
of the spinal trigeminal complex, and projections from these areas reach three central
structures where pain motivation is represented, the ventrolateral quadrant of the
periaqueductal gray, posterior hypothalamic nucleus, and intralaminar thalamic nuclei.
A final representation of the motivational aspect of pain is located within the anterior
cingulate cortex, and this representation receives inputs from the intralaminar nuclei.
Outputs from these representations reach premotor structures located in the medulla,
striatum, and cingulate premotor cortex. We discuss pathways and structures that provide
inputs to these representations, including those involved in producing involuntary
(innate) and instrumental responses which occur in response to the recognition of
stimuli associated with footshock and other nociceptive stimuli.
Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Inc.