Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in cattle sedated with xylazine

This study examined the effect of sedation with xylazine on the brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) of cattle to determine whether sedation causes differences in waveform configuration, peak latencies, interpeak latencies, measurement time of the average count (2000 responses), and clinical signs. There were no significant differences between the sedation and no-sedation groups in peak latency of any stimulus intensities. In the sedation group, the baselines of waveforms were comparatively stabilized. Those in the no-sedation group were unstable, however, because the measurement can be influenced by excessive muscle movement. The present findings suggest that clinically, it is useful to use a sedative when measuring BAEP in cattle to control excessive movement of the cattle without influencing the peak latencies.     

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in Japanese Black and Holstein cattle

This study was performed to examine normal brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) data for adult Japanese Black cattle and to evaluate whether differences exist in the peak latencies, interpeak latencies (IPL) and waveforms of BAEP between Japanese Black and Holstein cattle. The peaks were detected as major waves I, II, III and V in each group. The threshold of the BAEP waves in the Holstein cattle was 65-75 dB nHL, but the threshold in the Japanese Black cattle was 75-85 dB nHL. The I-III and I-V IPLs were significantly shorter in the Japanese Black compared with the Holstein cattle at an intensity of 105 dB nHL. The present findings suggest that the IPL and wave threshold of BAEP are influenced by bovine breed.     

Changes in the visual evoked potentials with different photic conditions in guinea pigs.

Visual evoked potential (VEP) was studied in five adult male guinea pigs weighing 350-750 g. VEPs were recorded with chronically implanted electrodes. Photic stimulation was presented in the following order: binocular, left eye, right eye, and screened binocular. The averages of the responses were made from 140 samples. When a single eye was exposed to photic stimulation, the ipsilateral VEP was different from the contralateral VEP; the peaks N140 and P200 disappeared, and the peak latencies of N75 and P100 were significantly (P less than 0.05) longer than those in the contralateral hemisphere. Peak-to-peak amplitude N40-P55 in the ipsilateral VEP was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than that in the contralateral VEP. The contralateral VEP by monocular stimulation was generally indistinguishable from the response to binocular stimulation. As described above, when only a single eye was exposed to flashes, the ipsilateral dural VEP was different from the contralateral dural VEP.     

Relative effects of xylazine-atropine, xylazine-atropine-ketamine, and xylazine-atropine-pentobarbital combinations and time-course effects of the latter two combinations on brain stem auditory-evoked potentials in dogs

Brain stem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEP) were recorded in 4 dogs to analyze the relationship between acoustic stimulus intensities and peak latencies of each wave, and to investigate the relative effects of xylazine-atropine, xylazine-atropine-ketamine, and xylazine-atropine-pentobarbital combinations and the time-course effects of the latter 2 drug combinations on BAEP. Click stimulations fixed at a stimulus rate of 10/s and a frequency of 4 kHz were delivered at intensities ranging from 10- to 110-dB sound pressure level (SPL) in 10-dB steps for analyzing the relationship between the acoustic stimulus intensities and the peak latencies and at an intensity of 110-dB SPL for investigating the effects of the sedative and anesthetic drug combinations and their time-course effects on BAEP. Waves I to VI were identified with stimulus intensity of greater than or equal to 50-dB SPL. Wave VII was observed in some records, but was excluded from statistical analysis. As stimulus intensity was increased from 50- to 110-dB SPL, the latency decreased for all waves during xylazine-atropine-ketamine anesthesia. There were no statistically significant differences in the peak latencies of each wave in BAEP among xylazine-atropine, xylazine-atropine-ketamine, and xylazine-atropine-pentobarbital combinations 20 minutes after drug administration, except that the latency of wave VI during xylazine-atropine sedation was significantly (P less than 0.01) shorter than that detected during xylazine-atropine-ketamine or xylazine-atropine-pentobarbital anesthesia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Visual evoked potentials in guinea pigs with brain lesion.

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded in 10 adult male guinea pigs with brain lesion. Lesions were produced in 5 animals by superficial suction of the occipital lobe. The other 5 animals were orally administered with hexachlorophene (about 35 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. In the VEP following the ablation of the occipital lobe, the peaks P10, N20, P55, N75, N140 and P200 disappeared in many cases. The amplitude of the peak N40 decreased to approximately one half its control VEP. In the VEP obtained from the animals administered with hexachlorophene, the peak latencies of N20, P30, P55, N75 and P100 were slightly prolonged after the 7th day following the first administration. On the other hand, there was no change in the latency of N40 during the whole period of administration. The peak-to-peak amplitude showed some variability in different peaks. Histologically, diffuse status spongiosis were found in the white matter of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. As described above, the ablation of the occipital lobe caused markedly depressed VEPs, however, the responses to the photic stimulation persisted after the injury. On the other hand, the VEPs of animals administered with hexachlorophene showed a high probability of peak appearance, and a decrease in amplitude was not marked.     

Topographic analysis of flash visual evoked potentials in dogs

Visual evoked potentials by flash stimulation (flash VEP) were analyzed in dogs using a topographic method. The flash VEP consisted of 3 positive (P1, P2 and P3) and 2 negative (N1 and N2) components by 150 msec after the flash stimuli. On the topographic mappings, a negative response area was observed in the frontal region of the scalp in the stimulated site followed by the shifting of the area to the contralateral frontal region and occipital region, during the first 100 msec. The negative response area in the frontal region in the stimulated site, contralateral frontal and temporal region, and occipital region were corresponded to N1, P2, and N2 on the flash VEP, respectively, according to their latencies. In the dogs with experimentally impaired the right lateral geniculate body, the latency of P2 was prolonged, and N2 and P3 were disappeared after the left eye stimulation. On the topographic mapping, only the early negative response area was detected on the stimulated site of the frontal region of the brain. Therefore, it is concluded that P1 and N1, P2, and N2 are referred to the retinal potentials, the potentials from the retina to the brainstem included the lateral geniculate body, and those from the brainstem to the visual cortex, respectively.     

Peaks of brainstem auditory evoked potentials in dogs

The effects of electrode configuration and click polarity on brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in dogs were investigated to clarify the inconsistent nomenclature for each peak. Four positive peaks (waves 1, 2, 3 and 4) before a deep negative trough and a fifth positive peak (wave 5) following the trough were the basic components of BAEP in dogs, which were easily identified regardless of recording conditions such as electrode configuration and click polarity. Additional peaks tended to be present when a noncephalic reference electrode and/or single-polarity (rarefaction or condensation) click stimuli were used. The Roman nomenclature for the individual positive peaks of BAEP in dogs is confused owing to variations in the observed waveforms among researchers, but click polarity and/or reference electrode position can explain all the previously reported variations in BAEP waveforms in dogs. When the criteria concerning wave V in the guidelines of BAEP in human beings are applied to avoid further confusion of Roman nomenclature in dogs, it is recommended that the basic five positive peaks (waves 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 as identified easily with Ai-Vertex configuration and alternating clicks) are designated as waves I, II, III, V and VI, respectively. Wave IV (wave 3b) occurs occasionally before wave V in dogs.Abbreviations BAEP brainstem auditory evoked potentials - dBHL dB hearing level - IPL interpeak latency - Ai the caudodorsal end of the zygomatic arch ipsilateral to the stimulated ear - Nape the neck over the spinous process of the fourth cervical vertebra     

The establishment of a clinical diagnostic method of the visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in the cat: the effects of recording electrode positions, stimulus intensity and the level of anesthesia

The establishment of characteristic wave pattern of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in the cat was attempted in order to be aid for clinical veterinary practitioners with the evaluation of visual dysfunction. 1) The position where the largest response of the VEPs was detected was close to the midline of the occipital area in normal cats. 2) The VEPs consisted of three components with latencies within 100 msec after flash stimulus. 3) Flash stimuli of higher illumination produced VEPs of shorter latencies and increased amplitude. Intensity of more than 0.6 J was necessary to obtain stable VEP patterns. 4) The latencies of VEPs hardly changed with time course under pentobarbital anesthesia, although they showed a fluctuant variation.     

Postnatal Development of Brainstem Auditory-Evoked Potentials, Electroretinograms, and Visual-Evoked Potentials in the Calf

Brainstem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEP), electroretinograms (ERG), and visual-evoked potentials (VEP) were recorded for eight calves from birth to 56 days and the values compared with previously determined adult responses. The BAEPs, ERGs, and VEPs recorded within the first 24 hours after birth contained all of the peaks seen in adult recordings. Varying degrees of maturation of the responses were documented as changes in latency and amplitude with age. The BAEPs were adult-like at birth, with latencies falling within the mean, plus or minus one standard deviation, for adult cows. A small but significant decrease in latency with age was seen for the first, second, and fourth peaks of the response. The ERG amplitudes were also within the adult range for the entire period of the study. Latencies to the a- and b-waves declined during the first 14 days and then stabilized at adult values. The VEP latencies decreased with age, with late peaks changing more than early peaks. Latencies of all but the first peak decreased to values less than the adult range. Two VEP amplitudes increased significantly with age. Developmental appears in the calf and other precocious species are compared to those in altricious (nonprecocious) species.     

Waveform analysis and reproducibility of visual-evoked potentials in dogs

Visual-evoked potentials (VEP) and electroretinograms (ERG) were recorded from 10 normal light-adapted adult dogs, using a 3 x 5 matrix of light-emitting diodes as a stimulator. Visual-evoked potentials were recorded from 4 scalp electrodes overlying cortical areas, whereas electroretinographic activity was recorded by 2 scalp electrodes placed near the eye and by a conjunctivally placed electrode. The waveform of the VEP consisted of 3 major positive waves (P1 through P3), with peak latencies in the 20- to 70-ms range. Waveform reproducibility was assessed by comparing peak latencies from VEP recorded on 2 separate days approximately 1 week apart. The peak latencies for P1 through P3 did not differ (P greater than or equal to 0.05) between first and second recording sessions. To substantiate the postretinal origin of VEP, recordings were made before and after unilateral optic nerve transsections in 4 dogs. Electroretinograms were also measured before and after surgery to assess the integrity of the retina. Postsurgically, VEP were absent when the eye on the surgically treated side was stimulated. Stimulation of the contralateral eye induced VEP with the same waveform shape, but latencies were slightly prolonged (P less than or equal to 0.05) compared with presurgical recordings. The only effect of optic nerve transsection on the ipsilateral ERG was a prolongation (P less than or equal to 0.05) of the b-wave. However, when postsurgical ERG values were compared with those from the intact side after surgery, there were no differences.     

Brainstem Auditory-Evoked Potentials in Holstein Cows

Brainstem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEP) were recorded from 29 Holstein cows in a typical clinical setting. The latencies of five positive peaks in the BAEP were measured, and latency-intensity functions were determined. The BAEP was similar to that reported in humans, dogs, horses, and other species. The responses were reproducible for each cow, with low variability between cows. Four peaks (I, II, III, V) were present in all recordings, and a fifth (IV) was present infrequently. All peak latencies decreased as click-stimulus intensity increased. The threshold for detection of the BAEP was higher than expected for the cow compared with the horse.     

Origin of the equine middle latency auditory evoked potential

Recordings of the middle latency of the auditory evoked potential (MLAEP) were made in eight conscious ponies. These traces were compared to those made under halothane anaesthesia with and without paralysis of the skeletal muscles. Recordings were also made from percutaneous electrodes placed along the neck with the same stimulus used for the auditory evoked potentials. The results of these experiments were used to deduce the origin of latencies in the auditory evoked potential occurring between 10 and 25 ms after the stimulus. The MLAEP was found to contain two positive peaks between the latencies of 10 and 25 ms. The first of these two peaks was not abolished by halothane anaesthesia or muscle paralysis. The second of these two peaks was abolished by halothane anaesthesia in all but one animal. In this animal the second peak was abolished by muscle paralysis. No peaks of corresponding latency were recorded from the percutaneous electrodes except from one electrode position at the caudal neck in one pony. The first peak of the middle latency auditory evoked potential seen in conscious ponies appeared to be of central nervous orign. The second peak appeared to be of muscular origin, possibly from the external auditory muscles. The second peak may be analogous to the post-auricular waveform described in man.     

Effect of sevoflurane concentration on visual evoked potentials with pattern stimulation in dogs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sevoflurane concentration on canine visual evoked potentials with pattern stimulation (P-VEPs). Six clinically normal laboratory-beagle dogs were used. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane was detected from all subjects by tail clamp method. The refractive power of the right eyes of all subjects was corrected to −2 diopters after skiascopy. For P-VEP recording, the recording and reference electrode were positioned at inion and nasion, respectively, and the earth electrode was positioned on the inner surface. To grasp the state of CNS suppression objectively, the bispectral index (BIS) value was used. The stimulus pattern size and distance for VEP recording were constant, 50.3 arc-min and 50 cm, respectively. P-VEPs and BIS values were recorded under sevoflurane in oxygen inhalational anesthesia at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 2.75 sevoflurane MAC. For analysis of P-VEP, the P100 implicit time and N75-P100 amplitude were estimated. P-VEPs were detected at 0.5 to 1.5 MAC in all dogs, and disappeared at 2.0 MAC in four dogs and at 2.5 and 2.75 MAC in one dog each. The BIS value decreased with increasing sevoflurane MAC, and burst suppression began to appear from 1.5 MAC. There was no significant change in P100 implicit time and N75-P100 amplitude with any concentration of sevoflurane. At concentrations around 1.5 MAC, which are used routinely to immobilize dogs, sevoflurane showed no effect on P-VEP.     

Age-associated changes of flash visual evoked potentials in dogs

Age-associated changes of visual evoked potentials by flash stimulation (flash VEP) were evaluated in 53 beagle dogs aged from 1- to 15-year-old. Among the components of flash VEP consisted of 3 positive (P1, P2 and P3) and 2 negative (N1 and N2) peaks by 150 msec, the latency of P2 and the later peaks (N2 and P3) were significantly delayed with aging. Both amplitudes of the P2-N2 and N2-P3 also showed a significant correlation with aging. The flash VEP is considered to be an available and useful technique to evaluate not only for visual pathway, but also some disturbance of neurological functions, like as those reported in demented human.     

Visual-evoked potentials in cats, using a light-emitting diode stimulator

Visual-evoked potentials (VEP) were studied in 8 healthy adult cats anesthetized with xylazine HCl and ketamine HCl. Monocular visual stimulation was accomplished by a 3 x 5 matrix of light-emitting diodes. Subcutaneous needle electrodes placed in the scalp at various locations and a contact lens electrode on the cornea were used to record cortical and electroretinographic activities, respectively. Multiple electrode pairings and unilateral optic nerve transsection were used to distinguish between retinal and postretinal potentials recorded from scalp electrodes. The VEP was a robust polyphasic cortical potential, with peak latencies between 0 and 110 ms. Using the light-emitting diode method of stimulation, a VEP was recorded which was not contaminated by volume-conducted retinal activity.     

Short latency auditory evoked potentials recorded from non-anaesthetized thoroughbred horses.

The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP) is a recording of the electrical activity of the brainstem following an acoustic stimulation. Up to seven peaks may be identified within 10 ms, and are labelled I to VII. The first five of these peaks are of most clinical importance, and in normal horses, peaks I, III and V are always present at stimulus intensities of 70-100 dB. Repeated sampling of clinically normal subjects at different stimulus intensities has enabled mean latency values to be determined for the ipsilateral and contralateral peaks I, III and V, and also for the interpeak latencies (IPLs) at each intensity. The maximum, normal, absolute latency for ipsilateral peak I was 1.86 ms, for peak III, 3.53 ms and for peak V, 5.52 ms. The equivalent contralateral values were 2.50 ms, 4.44 ms and 5.59 ms. The maximum, normal, contralateral IPL for I-III was 1.78 ms, that for III-V was 2.26 ms and for I-V was 3.76 ms. The maximum, normal, contralateral IPLs were 2.17 ms for I-III, 1.41 ms for III-V and 3.32 ms for I-V. If a peak or peaks are absent or delayed, or the IPL is greater than expected, the patient can be determined to have abnormal brainstem or auditory nerve conduction. The amplitudes of peaks I and V were measured, and the ratio of amplitudes was determined, to find the normal V:I values. At a stimulus intensity of 100 dB, the ipsilateral ratio was 0.49 +/- 0.19, and the contralateral value 1.49 +/- 0.48. Dispersal values were also calculated, by dividing the height of the III-V complex by its duration. For a stimulus intensity of 100 dB, the ipsilateral dispersal value was 0.416 +/- 0.104 microV/ms, and the contralateral value of 0.473 +/- 0.074 microV/ms. A range of normal values for both V:I ratio and dispersal were calculated. Height, weight and inter-aural distance were measured, and the relationship of the various peaks and IPLs to these variables was ascertained by statistical analysis. For the ipsilateral values, the correlation between the latency of wave V, and III-V and I-V IPLs and weight were significant (P less than 0.01). Significant correlations were found between weight and the latency of contralateral waves III (P less than 0.05) and V (P less than 0.05) and the I-III (P less than 0.01) and I-V (P less than 0.001) IPLs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Cortical averaged evoked potentials produced by pudendal nerve stimulation in dogs

Averaged evoked potentials were recorded from the scalp of 22 dogs after repetitive stimulation of the pudendal nerve. Four experimental procedures were used: (1) percutaneous needle-stimulating electrodes with dogs tranquilized with xylazine; (2) percutaneous needle-stimulating electrodes with dogs tranquilized with acepromazine; (3) percutaneous needle-stimulating electrodes with dogs anesthetized with alpha-chloralose; and (4) Sherrington type stimulating electrodes applied directly to nerves with dogs anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. The average evoked potentials were similar with all treatments. Three peaks (N1, P1, and N2) with consistent latency and amplitude were generally present, followed by additional peaks with variable latencies and amplitudes. The mean latency for N1 after direct stimulation was significantly longer than the mean latency for N1 in the 3 other groups (95% confidence intervals). There were no other significant differences in mean latencies among groups for any of the peaks.     

Brain stem auditory potentials evoked by clicks in the presence of high-pass filtered noise in dogs

This study evaluates the effects of a high-frequency hearing loss simulated by the high-pass-noise masking method, on the click-evoked brain stem-evoked potentials (BAEP) characteristics in dogs. BAEP were obtained in response to rarefaction and condensation click stimuli from 60 dB normal hearing level (NHL, corresponding to 89 dB sound pressure level) to wave V threshold, using steps of 5 dB in eleven 58 to 80-day-old Beagle puppies. Responses were added, providing an equivalent to alternate polarity clicks, and subtracted, providing the rarefaction-condensation potential (RCDP). The procedure was repeated while constant level, high-pass filtered (HPF) noise was superposed to the click. Cut-off frequencies of the successively used filters were 8, 4, 2 and 1 kHz. For each condition, wave V and RCDP thresholds, and slope of the wave V latency-intensity curve (LIC) were collected. The intensity range at which RCDP could not be recorded (pre-RCDP range) was calculated. Compared with the no noise condition, the pre-RCDP range significantly diminished and the wave V threshold significantly increased when the superposed HPF noise reached the 4 kHz area. Wave V LIC slope became significantly steeper with the 2 kHz HPF noise. In this non-invasive model of high-frequency hearing loss, impaired hearing of frequencies from 8 kHz and above escaped detection through click BAEP study in dogs. Frequencies above 13 kHz were however not specifically addressed in this study.     

Visual Evoked Potentials in the Clinically Normal Dog

Visual evoked potentials (VEP) in response to flashes of white light were recorded from 15 adult beagles of both sexes to provide a normative data base. Separate recordings were taken by stimulating each eye of every dog. Responses were recorded from a needle electrode placed over the nuchal crest referenced to an electrode just caudal to the eyes. Five positive and negative peaks were present in each VEP; P1, N1, P2, N2, and P3. Peak P2 was the most prominent. Mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) latencies for peaks P1, N1, P2, N2, and P3 were 14.3 +/- 2.4, 29.2 +/- 2.2, 54.5 +/- 7.4, 78.0 +/- 13.1, and 98.1 +/- 12.6 msec, respectively. Peak-to-peak mean amplitudes ranged from 5.88 to 13.30 microV. Recordings were accomplished without sedation, anesthesia, or mydriatic drugs.     

Visual-evoked potentials and electroretinograms in ruminants with thiamine-responsive polioencephalomalacia or suspected listeriosis

Electrodiagnostic visual testing (electroretinogram [ERG] and visual-evoked potential [VEP]) was performed on 5 ruminants (3 lambs, 1 kid, and 1 steer) with thiamine-responsive polioencephalomalacia (PEM) and on 2 sheep with listeriosis. The lambs and kid had typical clinical signs of PEM, especially blindness. In these animals, the ERG was normal but the VEP was abnormal. Follow-up recordings in the kid and 1 lamb indicated an improvement in VEP recordings accompanying a gradual return of vision after thiamine treatment. Possible subtle changes in VEP peak latencies could not be assessed because of lack of normative VEP data for sheep and goats. All animals had complete return of vision (owner-assessed). The steer did not have signs of blindness, and the ERG and VEP were normal. Changes in VEP accompanying permanent PEM blindness are not known. One sheep with suspected listeriosis had lack of menace response and palpebral and corneal reflexes, but had intact vision. The ERG and VEP were normal. The second sheep with suspected listeriosis had intact menace response and vision, but became acutely blind and died; the ERG was normal, but VEP amplitudes were depressed.