Reliability of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP) Using the Nicolet Pathfinder II.

摘要

Evoked potentials (EP) are emerging as a useful diagnostic tool to determine the functional integrity of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP) provides a rapid assessment of the functioning of the brainstem. The individual components, or waves, represent the conduction time, and hence state of conduction in various structures of the auditory pathway. Signal averaging systems, such as the Nicolet Pathfinder II, extract the EP from the background electroencephalogram. Because different labs may differ slightly in technique, location, lighting and sound levels, norms must first be established when beginning work with a new system or in a new laboratory. In order to establish the ability of the system to replicate results and to create a database of normal values, 22 male and 13 female subjects were tested twice on each of two days. Using the International Electrode Placement System, surface electrodes were placed at C(Z) A1, A2 and F(PZ). Two sets of 2000 rarefaction clicks were presented at the rate of 11.1/sec at 75 dB. White noise was presented simultaneously to the contralateral ear at 45 dB. The absolute latency of the five major peaks of the BAEP were assessed for replicability, as were the interpeak latencies for Waves I - III, III -V< and I - V. differences due to Gender were also analyzed. (AW)