Estimation of the noise autocorrelation function in auditory evoked potential applications

This work presents a simple and accurate method to estimate the noise autocorrelation function in auditory evoked potential applications. It basically consists in applying a conventional correlation function estimator over the contaminated evoked potential signal processed by a comb filter. The main feature of the proposed technique is the possibility of obtaining information on large correlation lags without the need of extra time intervals, minimizing the estimation time. A theoretical analysis is provided showing that, under certain but achievable conditions, the correlation function of the processed signal approximates the real noise correlation function. Simulation results and an example with a single-trial evoked potential estimation technique illustrate the expected performance. The proposed method is of special interest to either single or small number of trials evoked potential estimation techniques in anaesthesia monitoring applications.     

A bootstrap method to compare the shapes of two scalp fields

A method is described to compare two evoked potential scalp fields in order to decide if the two fields are the same or different. The method uses Efron's bootstrap technique which avoids potential errors due to assumptions about the underlying stochastic process. It is configured to focus only on the shape of the evoked potential scalp field. The method is applied to a simple visually evoked potential paradigm and results are compared to the chi-square test using data from 7 normal subjects.     

Computer techniques for the processing of evoked potentials

A computer technique is described for the systematic characterization of brain evoked potentials. Preprocessing of the data by a causal digital filter is followed by a peak search and identification procedure. A latency histogram of the peaks found is constructed to determine the ranges or clusters of peaks within the single evoked potential. Peaks found within the clusters are then corrected to the mean latency of the cluster and a latency corrected average version of the evoked potential constructed.     

Intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials. A localizing technique in the DREZ operation

The localization of neural pathology by the evoked potential technique through the use of the Nicolet compact four-signal averager is reviewed. Stimulating electrode application on facial nerves and peripheral nerves of the limbs is described, as well as spinal cord and medullary recording electrode type and placement. Several pathological lesions causing pain are presented and the intraoperative evoked potentials prior to and after lesion production are examined and analyzed.     

A rapid evoked potential index of cortical adaptation

Contrast thresholds and acuity limits were measured in 4 observers with the swept visual evoked potential (VEP) technique. In this technique, grating contrast or grating spatial frequency is electronically varied while the subject's evoked response is retrieved in real time (without averaging). Contrast or spatial frequency variation make the stimulus vary in intensity; zero VEP response amplitude indicates the threshold intensity.Large shifts occur in the indicated threshold when stimulus sweep direction is reversed. Thresholds are always relatively elevated when the run begins with the strongest stimulus value. These shifts do not have a technical origin in the delay of the instrument (Nelson et al. 1984b). Here, it is shown that the shifts are due to orientation and spatial frequency selective adaptation, probably of cortical origin.Measurable adaptation is produced by momentary exposure to contrasts as low as 1.25%; nearly maximum adaptation (0.6 log units) is reached with 20% contrast. These findings support the concept of a contrast gain control mechanism in visual cortex, and pose practical problems for visual assessment with the evoked potential.     

Source derivation: Application to topographic mapping of visual evoked potentials

The application of a source derivation technique to topographic mapping of the pattern-reversal visual evoked potential is described. Comparisons were made with non-cephalic and common average reference recordings. Source derivation yielded wave forms which were less influenced by activity of reference origin. Source derivation wave forms were similar to those obtained with common average referencing but contour plots showed less spread of regions of maximal activity in the case of source derivation. It is suggested that source derivation may be useful in further studies of the topography and sources of cerebral evoked potentials.     

High-rate sequential sampling of auditory brain-stem and somatosensory evoked responses in hypoxia

We developed a high-rate sequential recording technique that allowed simultaneous measurements of both auditory brain-stem response (ABR) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) every 10 sec. Using this method, a transient increase in amplitude of all the ABR and SEP components in response to hypoxia in dogs could be detected. The increase in amplitude preceded the prolongation of latency. Our study showed that there were succesive changes of evoked potentials in response to hypoxia. A transient increase in amplitude is the first to occur, followed by a latency prolongation and an amplitude decrease for both ABRs and SEPs.     

Sensory and cognitive components of the CO2 laser evoked cerebral potential

We recorded CO₂ laser evoked cerebral potentials in 6 healthy subjects using both a standard technique and an oddball paradigm. In the standard technique stimuli were aimed at the dorsum of the left hand with the subject passive; in the oddball paradigm, target infrequent stimuli (P = 0.15) were directed to one side of the dorsum of the left hand and the subject was instructed to count their occurrence, the frequent stimulus being delivered to the other side of the hand. In both standard and oddball frequent recordings, CO₂ laser evoked potentials were a well-formed negative-positive complex with a peak latency and amplitude around 305 msec (to positivity) and 32 μV respectively. However, in the oddball target task a later potential was also recorded, with a mean latency and amplitude of 621 msec and 24 μV respectively which we believe to be a laser oddball potential. These results demonstrate that the CO₂ potential is not altered by manipulations of attention to any significant extent and suggests that it is therefore closely related to the primary sensory input. They also provide further evidence of the non-specificity of the oddball potential across sensory modalities.     

K+ channels activated by L-alanine transport in isolated Necturus enterocytes

Using the patch-clamp technique, we demonstrate here the opening of K+ channels evoked by the actively transported amino acid L-alanine in isolated Necturus enterocytes. These channels had a conductance of about 30 pS and their activation was dependent on transmembrane electrical potential and cytosolic Ca2+.     

Prevention of chloroform-induced ventricular tachycardia in mice as an index of antiarrhythmic activity

Prevention of chloroform-induced ventricular fibrillation has been the basis of an antiarrhythmic screening technique in mice. However, data from this laboratory indicated that exposure of mice to chloroform evokes ventricular tachycardia rather than ventricular fibrillation. In view of these observations, the original screening technique was revised and new criteria for antiarrhythmic activity were established. Subsequent validation of those criteria was determined with various beta antagonists and Class I antiarrhythmic agents. Each group of agents evoked dose-dependent antiarrhythmic activity whereas most Class I agents also evoked ataxia which was presumed to be of CNS origin. The revised screening procedure appears to be a sensitive and reliable predictor of antiarrhythmic activity and also provides information regarding the potential for undesirable CNS side effects.     

Sodium-activated potassium current in mouse diaphragm

The mouse diaphragm muscle fiber was studied using the loose patch clamp technique. The voltage gated sodium currents were evoked by step pulses from a holding potential of about −70 mV. Following the activation of the sodium current, a very large and fast outward current was evoked. The sensitivity of this current to 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium indicates the potassium ion as the possible carrier for the channel. Furthermore, the sensitivity to tetrodotoxin and extracellular sodium demonstrated the sodium dependence of this current.     

Evoked potentials in the parafascicular complex of the rabbit thalamus during peripheral noxious stimulation

Systematic research was conducted into the parafascicular complex of the nonspecific nociceptive system of the rabbit hypothalamus using a technique of evoked potentials. Two types of evoked response were recorded during electrocutaneous stimulation of the paw; a compound response consisting of early and late positive-negative potentials in the lateral region and a simple positive-negative evoked potential in the medial area. Evidence suggests a more complex organization of the thalamic parafascicular complex in leporines than previously supposed.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 787–793, November–December, 1986.     

The inhibitory effects of dantrolene on action potential-induced calcium transients in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

We investigated the actions of dantrolene Ca(2+)-induced on Ca(2+)-release (CICR) evoked by action potentials in cultured rat sensory neurons. The effect of dantrolene on action potential after-depolarization and voltage-activated calcium currents was studied in cultured neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion cells (DRG) using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Depolarizing current injection evoked action potentials and depolarizing after-potentials, which are activated as a result of CICR following a single action potential in some cells. The type of after-potentials was determined by inducing action potentials from the resting membrane potential. Extracellular application of dantrolene (10 microM) abolished after-depolarizations without affecting action potential properties. Furthermore, dantrolene significantly reduced repetitive action potentials after depolarizing current injection into these neurons, but had no significant effect on the steady-state current voltage relationship of calcium currents in these neurons. We conclude that dantrolene inhibits the induction of action potential after depolarizations by inhibiting CICR in cultured rat sensory neurons.     

Computerised topographical mapping of scalp recorded event-related potentials

A technique is described for the recording of multichannel cerebral evoked potential data and their conversion to colour-coded displays of scalp electrical activity at up to 40 instants in time. Such mapping gives a more readily assimilated picture of the evolution of the potential changes over the scalp than the raw waveforms. The method employs a PDP 11/23 computer for data collection and surface topography calculation, and a Tektronix 4662 digital plotter with 8 colour option for the display of spatio-temporal maps.     

硝酸士的宁对刺激鲫鱼脊髓诱发的Mauthner细胞胞内电位变化的影响

目的探索肌注硝酸士的宁对刺激鲫鱼脊髓所诱发的M细胞胞内电位变化的影响。方法运用微电极穿刺技术记录M细胞的胞内电位变化。结果肌注硝酸士的宁后逆向动作电位后突触后电位（PSPs）的幅度升高,持续时间增加,并可在此基础上暴发动作电位。结论从脊髓到M细胞的传入通路中可能有抑制性递质甘氨酸的释放和相应受体的存在,其与兴奋性递质一起调节M细胞兴奋性,从而使M细胞的活动与整体一致。     

Specific effects of alpha-D,L-aminoadipic acid on synaptic transmission in frog spinal cord

The sucrose gap technique was employed to investigate both synaptic and amino acid evoked responses from motoneurones or primary afferents of frog spinal cord. alpha-D,L-Aminoadipic acid (alpha-D,L-AAD) selectively antagonized responses to acidic amino acids, especially aspartate. The drug was most effective in antagonizing the polysynaptic components of synaptic potentials evoked by dorsal root or lateral column stimulation but had little effect on their monosynaptic components. The ventral root dorsal root potential which is thought to be mediated by a pathway that does not involve acidic amino acids was insensitive to alpha-D,L-AAD. These data, which were confirmed by intracellular recording from motoneurones, provided further evidence for the role of acidic amino acids in polysynaptic pathways in frog spinal cord.     

The human fetal auditory evoked potential

The brain-stem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), a sensitive test of the functional status of the neonatal brain, has not been studied in utero since no practical technique for human fetal recording is available. We have developed a simple recording technique which allows continuous monitoring of the fetal AEP during labor. Waves I, III and V of the fetal brain-stem AEP have been consistently identified. Wave form morphology, interpeak latencies, and latency-intensity relations are similar to postnatal recordings. Middle latency potentials have also been recorded, with wave forms that correspond to the neonatal middle latency AEP.     

Localization of the sensory projection areas in the cerebral cortex of the dolphin, Tursiops truncatus

Using the evoked potential technique, studies have been made on localization of the projectional sensory areas in the cerebral cortex (visual, acoustic and somatosensory) of the porpoise T. truncatus. Distribution of these projectional areas in the porpoise is quite different as compared to that in other mammals. Visual and acoustic areas are shifted to the dorsal part of the hemisphere, all the sensory areas investigated exhibit a direct contact with each other.