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Central somatosensory conduction time in comatose patients
Author(s) -
Hume Ann L.,
Cant B. R.,
Shaw N. A.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410050412
Subject(s) - somatosensory evoked potential , scalp , coma (optics) , somatosensory system , anesthesia , medicine , median nerve , nerve conduction , stimulation , neuroscience , psychology , surgery , physics , optics
Somatosensory conduction time between the dorsal column nuclei and the cerebral cortex may be measured following median nerve stimulation by recording evoked potentials from both scalp and neck. Central conduction times were significantly increased relative to normal (5.6 ± 0.5 msec) in 11 of 24 comatose patients. Results within 10 and 35 days of onset of coma were correlated with the final outcome. Conduction times were independent of serum phenobarbital (0 to 630 μmol per liter) and of central body temperature (35.0 to 38.5°C). Serial studies in coma demonstrated (1) short‐term increases during temporary metabolic disorders, and (2) sustained increases with gradual recovery over many months, particularly after head injury.