Cerebral evoked potentials after stimulation of the posterior urethra in man.
Cerebral evoked potentials (EPs) were recorded in 25 neurologically normal subjects aged 22-73 years (mean 44.0) after stimulation of the posterior urethra (PU) and the pudendal nerve. After maximal PU stimulation 2 different configurations of the potential were found. In 12 cases a simple bi-triphasic wave form was recorded while in 12 cases there was a bifid form of the first negative wave. In 1 case identical EPs were recorded after PU and pudendal nerve stimulation. It was concluded that (1) PU stimulation excites fibres in the pudendal nerve at higher stimulation strength, resulting in a bifid wave form of the cerebral evoked potential in some individuals, (2) the most prominent negative peak, N1, with a latency of 102.1 +/- 13.2 msec, is the most reproducible part of the PU-evoked potential, (3) the N1 is probably transmitted through A delta fibres localized in the pelvic nerves, (4) there are differences between individuals concerning pudendal and pelvic nerve involvement in afferent innervation of the urethra.
Hansen
M V
MV
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and Urology, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Ertekin
C
C
Larsson
L E
LE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D014521:Urethra / Q000294:innervation*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology