title: Effects of peripherally and centrally acting analgesics on somato-sensory evoked potentials.
abstract: 1. The effects of aspirin 1000 mg, paracetamol 1000 mg, codeine 60 mg on somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were measured in a four-way cross-over study. 2. SEPs were elicited by electrical stimulation of the skin overlying the digital nerve at intensities close to pain threshold. 3. Amplitudes and latencies of both early and late SEPs were recorded, as well as first sensory threshold and subjective pain threshold. 4. None of the study medications affected the amplitude or latency of the late SEP components (100-250 ms post-stimulus). The amplitude of early components (15-30 ms post-stimulus) was also unaffected, but aspirin shortened the latency 30 min after ingestion. 5. Sensory detection and pain threshold to electrical skin stimulation were also unaffected by any of the study medications despite subjective central effects with codeine.
authors.affiliation: Dental School, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: U J
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ashton
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Seymour
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D003061:Codeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin; D003061:Codeine