“…Previous studies have demonstrated that electrical and chemical stimulation of the RVM or NRM result in an inhibition of spinal nociception (Fields et al, 1977;Belcher et al, 1978;Duggan and Griersmith, 1979;Rivot et al, 1980;Carstens et al, 1981;Hodge et al, 1983;Light et al, 1986;Zhuo and Gebhart, 1997). The mechanism of the antinociceptive effect is controversial, however, because many neurotransmitters in addition to 5-HT exist in raphe neurons that may contribute to the descending modulation of spinal sensory systems (e.g., GABA, glycine, acetylcholine, somatostatin, substance P, enkephalin, dynorphin, galanin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and cholecystokinin) (Millan, 2002).…”