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The influence of exercise-induced temperature elevations on the auditory brain-stem response (ABR)
C J Thomas1, J D Jones, P D Scott
1Department of Physiology, Medical College of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, U.K.
Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Exercise significantly lowers auditory brain-stem response (ABR) latencies for waves III and V due to increased body temperature. This finding suggests exercise-induced hyperthermia can model ABR changes observed during fever.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- The auditory brain-stem response (ABR) is a non-invasive electrophysiological measure of the auditory pathway's integrity.
- Understanding factors influencing ABR is crucial for accurate clinical interpretation.
- Exercise is known to affect various physiological parameters, but its impact on ABR requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of exercise-induced hyperthermia on the auditory brain-stem response (ABR) in healthy individuals.
- To determine if changes in body temperature following exercise influence ABR wave latencies and amplitudes.
- To explore the potential of exercise hyperthermia as a model for studying ABR alterations in febrile states.
Main Methods:
- 16 healthy volunteers (8 male, 8 female) underwent ipsilateral ABR recordings before and immediately after cycling exercise.
- Body temperature was monitored in the contralateral external auditory meatus, rising by 0.5-2.1°C (mean 1.3°C).
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare pre- and post-exercise ABR parameters, including latencies of waves I, III, and V, and to establish temperature-latency relationships.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in the latencies of waves III and V was observed immediately post-exercise (P < 0.01).
- Wave I latency showed no significant change.
- A regression equation was derived for wave V latency: Latency (ms) = 11.06 - 0.146 x temp. (°C), indicating a temperature-dependent reduction.
- No significant effects on ABR amplitudes or sex-based differences were found.
Conclusions:
- Exercise-induced hyperthermia acutely reduces auditory brain-stem response (ABR) latencies for waves III and V.
- The observed temperature-latency relationship suggests that elevated body temperature influences neural conduction speed in the auditory pathway.
- Exercise hyperthermia serves as a relevant and accessible model for studying the effects of fever on ABR, aiding in understanding auditory processing under febrile conditions.