C-tactile (CT) afferents: evidence of their function from microneurography studies in humans

C-tactile (CT) afferents are low-threshold mechanoreceptors present in the skin of humans and thought to convey positive pleasant aspects touch, due their optimal firing during gentle, caress-like contact. This review explores role function through evidence produced microneurography studies, where it is possible record from single CTs awake, healthy humans. send a relatively delayed signal brain, unmyelinated, slowly conducting axon, highly sensitive small displacements skin, especially dynamic, moving touch. primarily mechanoreceptors, but show some thermal sensitivity, neutral touch (at temperature ?32°C) optimal, warm (?42°C) activates them less, cool (?18°C) produces complex responses.