• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 1999

Background : Posterior tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (PTSEP) have cortical potentials on primary sensory area of foot around 40 msec. The direct cortical recordings of the cortical potentials shows high voltage positive wave on medial hemisphere, especially on paracentral lobule (PCL). However, it is so difficult to record the potential directly on PCL that the cortical potential of PTSEP is not well understood. We investigated the cortical potential of PTSEP on subdural electrodes. Methods : We recorded cortical potentials to posterior tibial nerve stimulation on subdural electrodes which were on medial hemisphere near PCL in 15 intractable neocortical epilepsy patients. The numbers of subdural electrodes were 8 in 10 subjects ($1{\times}8array$) and 16 in 5 subjects ($2{\times}8arrays$). Seven subjects had three-dimensional imaging fusion (3D-fusion) of MRI and the electrodes using Analyze program. We investigated the amplitude, latency, polarity, and phase of the waves regarding location. Results : The waves had maximal amplitude on PCL in 4 subjects, precuneus in 1, cingulate gyrus nearest to PCL in 2 among 7 subjects with 3D-fusion. Also the electrodes were located on posterior area of PCL (2 out of 2 subjects with more than two electrodes put on PCL in 3D-fusion) and superior area of it (5 out of 5 subjects with $2{\times}8arrays $). All the high (more than 20 uV) amplitude around 40msec had positive polarity in 7 subjects. The phase reversals were detected between the electrodes with the highest amplitude and the just posterior (2 subjects) or anterior (6 subjects) located electrodes. The just posterior located electrodes had sharper phase reversal than the anterior one. Conclusion : PTSEP might have maximal amplitude of cortical potentials on the more superior and posterior area of PCL. The highest amplitude potential has positivity. The wave with maximal amplitude could have phase reversal of cortical potentials with surrounding electrodes, especially shaper with posterior part than with anterior one.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 1999

Backgroud : The generators of N37 and P37 of posterior tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potential(PTSEP) have not been exactly known. Recently, some reports suggested that P37 and N37 might have different generator. We conducted a study to know the generators of P37 and N37 of PTSEP using gating mechanism. Methods : We evaluated subcortical and cortical somatosensoy evoked potentials(SEPs) in response to posterior tibial nerve stimulation in 3 experimental conditions of foot movement and compared them with PTSEPs in full relaxation of foot. The experimental conditions were: (a) active flexion-extention of stimulated foot, (b) isometric contraction of the stimulated foot, (c) passive flexion-extention of the stimulate foot. We analyzed the latencies and amplitudes of following potentials; P30, N37, P37, and N50. Results : The amplitude of P30 potential did not change during at any paradigms. The amplitudes of P37 and N50 were significantly attenuated in all condition. However, the amplitude of N37 showed no significant change during at any paradigms. Conclusions : These results suggest that the generators of P37 and N37 of PTSEP be different in cortex.