Normal Values of R3 Response of Blink Reflex

OBJECTIVE: To determine the normal data of R3 component of blink reflex in normal adults. METHOD: Subjects included 17 healthy males and 16 healthy females. Five trials of blink reflex were recorded from each side. The shortest latency of R3 response was the shortest among the 5 consecutive trials was selected. RESULTS: Mean onset latency of R3 was 79.8 ms, mean duration 31.0 ms, mean amplitude 399.5 V and a side-to-side difference of latency was 2.3 ms. The amplitude of R3 decreased with age. The latencies and durations of R1 and R2 were not related to those of R3. The amplitude of R2 was correlated with that of R3. CONCLUSION: This data will be useful for the localization of brainstem and cervical spinal cord lesions.