Long-lasting EEG reactions in comatose patients after repetitive stimulation

Twenty patients with severe head injury and a Glasgow Coma Scale of 4-6 were subjects of a multimodality EP study. After EEG recording during rest (control 1) 60 mechanical vibration stimuli and 60 visual stimuli (interstimulus interval 10 sec) were applied. Thereafter a second EEG (control 2) was measured. To quantify a long-lasting stimulated EEG alteration, control 2 was compared with control 1 on the basis of the spectral theta/beta ratio calculated from central derivations. In 50% of the patients the theta/beta ratio was changed in control 2 and therefore a long lasting stimulation effect can be assumed. Stimulus-induced cardiac alterations were also found.