Short-latency somatosensory-evoked potentials in healthy Thais.

ABSTRACT

Median, ulnar and tibial short-latency somatosensory-evoked potentials were recorded from 112 neurologically normal subjects. Absolute latencies and interpeak latencies were analysed. Absolute latencies were correlated with height (r=0.37-0.59, P<0.01) but not with age (r=0.16-0.55, P>0.05). Interpeak latencies were not correlated either with height or age, except median/ulnar N9-N19 which were correlated with age and height (r=0.34, .044, P<0.01). Males had longer absolute and interpeak latencies than females (P<0.05) which were probably due to height difference (P<0.001). Hence, height is the most important variables for predicting absolute latencies, except in age group over 60 year old that the absolute and interpeak latencies were significantly delayed (P<0.05). The equations foe such predictions were verified. Hence, any absolute latencies should be corrected for height prior to considering them to be abnormal.