Indirect estimation of spinal cord conduction velocity in man

Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1977 Jan;42(1):26-34. doi: 10.1016/0013-4694(77)90148-1.

Abstract

A method is described for deriving an indirect estimate of the velocity of impulse propagation in the spinal cord of intact man. The estimate is computed from measurements of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity in the limbs, F-wave latencies, and the latencies of somatosensory evoked potentials. The mean estimated spinal cord conduction velocicy in normal subjects was found to be 55.1 m/sec, with a standard deviation of 9.9. This method appears to have potential application in the electrophysiological evaluation of patients with myelopathic disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ankle / innervation
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electrophysiology / methods
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Conduction*
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Peripheral Nerves / physiology
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiology
  • Spinal Cord / physiology*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / physiopathology
  • Time Factors
  • Wrist / innervation