Biphasic effects of the anterior cingulate cortex stimulation on glabrous skin blood flow in rats

►The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) processes sensory, cognitive and emotional information. ►ACC stimulation decreased the spinal dorsal horn neuron activity via release of GABA. ►GABA elicits dorsal root reflexes (DRRs) to induce peripheral vasodilatation. ►ACC stimulation induced a biphasic systemic vascular response without significant change in DRRs. ►ACC stimulation did not contribute to the prolonged vasodilatation.