title: Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials in patients with lacunar and other small subcortical strokes.
abstract: We recorded median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in 42 patients with small subcortical strokes associated with lacunar syndromes. Seventeen patients had abnormal SSEPs. The P22 component was most often affected; changes in N20 and N18 were less common. Four patients with pure motor strokes (PMS) had abnormal SSEPs. Abnormalities of P22 correlated best with motor findings; those of N20 with sensory signs and symptoms. Similar SSEP abnormalities were produced by lesions in various locations. P22 and N20 abnormalities occurred independently and together. We conclude: (1) abnormal SSEPs are common in patients with small subcortical strokes associated with lacunar syndromes, including pure motor stroke; (2) P22 and N20 have separate cortical generators; and (3) P22 may be generated within sensory pathways which are adjacent to or influenced by motor pathways.
authors.affiliation: Neurological Institute of New York, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, NY 10032.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Labar
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petty
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Emerson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pedley
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mohr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D006801:Humans; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged