Bimodality electrophysiologic evaluation of brainstem in sleep apnea syndrome

Previous electrophysiologic studies in the sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) have used only a single modality (brainstem auditory evoked responses [BAERs]) and yielded conflicting, inconsistent, and inconclusive results. We utilized both BAERs and somatosensory evoked responses in 12 patients with SAS and found normal central conduction times in all patients. These data argue against a significant structural alteration in both rostral and caudal brainstem, insofar as the auditory and somatosensory pathways are concerned, in patients with SAS.