Comparison of vagus sensory evoked potentials (VSEP) and auditory evoked potentials (AEP) in healthy subjects

Introduction: Measurement of vagus sensory evoked potentials (VSEP) after electric stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve in the external auditory channel was introduced by Fallgatter et al. (2003). VSEP may have clinical potential as a non-invasive tool for assessment of brainstem function. Here, we examined methodological characteristics of VSEP assessment in relation to auditory evoked potentials (AEP). Methods: VSEP and AEP were studied in 10 healthy subjects (age 29.7±8.0 (mean±SD, 4 females). Far field potentials were recorded bipolarly from electrodes positioned at F3, F4, T3, T4, O1, O2,…