title: Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) elicited by magnetic nerve stimulation.
abstract: Magnetic stimulation of peripheral nerves at distal and proximal sites of the upper and lower extremities and at the midlumbar level were used to elicit cortical somatosensory evoked potentials. Evidence is provided that peripheral nerve trunks, rather than distal receptor afferents, are the anatomical structures stimulated by the electromagnetic fields. Magnetic stimulation of peripheral nerves is considered to be useful for an evaluation of the integrity of proximal nerves, nerve roots and central conduction along sensory pathways. In contrast to electrical nerve stimulation, magnetic stimulation is painless and can be applied to proximal nerves and plexus. By means of proximal nerve stimulation central sensory conduction can be tested even in patients with peripheral nerve lesions or polyneuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, FRG.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kunesch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knecht
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Classen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roick
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tyercha
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benecke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology