Differential effect of thalamic and subthalamic lesions on early and late components of the somatic evoked potentials in man.
The effect of thalamic (Vo), subthalamic (Raprl) and combined (Vo-Raprl) unilateral lesions on early and late components of the somatic evoked potentials (SEPs) was investigated in a group of 16 cases operated on for the treatment of contralateral dyskinetic movements. In these cases, SEPs were independently produced by stimulation of the left and right median nerves and recorded at the corresponding somatosensory scalp regions. In addition, EEG frequencies and reaction time (RT) were independently and bilaterally determined. These tests were performed before and after operation and changes in SEP, EEG and RT were quantitatively evaluated in relation to both ipsilateral preoperative and contralateral postoperative controls. 1. All cases with either thalamic or combined lesions involving Vo nucleus showed an ipsilateral reduction in amplitude of late SEP components and EEG frequency and a contralateral increase RT. A peculiar form of "inattention" to the contralateral hand was also found. Quantitative evaluation of the total group showed significant amplitude reduction in late SEP components in relation to both ipsilateral preoperative and contralateral postoperative controls. Changes in EEG and RT were only significant in relation to their preoperative ipsilateral controls. 2. Two cases with subthalamic lesions and quick postoperative recovery showed no apparent change in SEP, EEG and RT. Three cases with similar lesions and slow postoperative recovery showed bilateral decrease in amplitude of late SEP components, EEG frequency and increase in RT. Clinical inattention to contralateral hand was also found in all these cases. Quantitative evaluation of the total group showed no significant changes in these parameters in relation to preoperative controls. 3. None of these lesions produced changes in early SEP components or somatosensory deficits at the contralateral hand.
D001288:Attention; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004027:Diencephalon / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009434:Neural Pathways; D011930:Reaction Time; D012890:Sleep; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000502:physiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000502:physiology*