Somatosensory evoked potentials in a head trauma model

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic value of somatosensory evoked potentials in an animal head trauma model. Methods: Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) were recorded in thirteen male Wistar rats following a standardized head trauma induced with the fluid percussion method (=trauma group). Recordings were also taken in four rats without head trauma, who served as a control group. Recording technique: A biphasic square wave pulse of 0.5 milliseconds duration and 9 milliamperes strengths was applied with a frequency of 2.1 Hertz to the rats tail, in general anesthesia. Recordings were taken from predefined…